Kolkata: The West Bengal government on Thursday ordered a security audit of all Medical Colleges and Hospitals, which will be led by former Director General of Police Surajit Kar Purkayastha, a major step taken towards enhancing safety and security for the healthcare system in Bengal.
The Chief Secretary also gave a ten-point directive to the Principal Health Secretary. The directives from Chief Secretary Manoj Pant came several hours after a detailed proposal by the West Bengal Junior Doctor’s Front (WBJDF) early this morning, following a failed meeting last night.
“Following directives are hereby issued for ensuring safety, security and efficient functioning of all health care professionals with overall objectives to deliver better healthcare services to all citizens of the State,” Pant said in his letter. Pant noted that the institutions must be advised to ensure implementation of these measures in consultation with all stakeholders.
Retired IPS officer Purakayastha has been appointed for the security audit. “The state government has now appointed Shri Surajit Kar Purkayastha, IPS(retd), Chairman Satyendranath Tagore Civil Services Study Centre(SNTCSSC) and former DGP, West Bengal for security audit of all Medical Colleges and Hospitals. Necessary cooperation in this regard should be extended by all concerned,” the Chief secretary said in his letter.
Meeting the demands of the agitating junior doctors, the Chief Secretary pointed out that “it should be ensured that adequate numbers of police or security personnel along with female police/security personnel are deployed in every healthcare facility in consultation with the Home Department. It should also be ensured that mobile teams are deployed by local police authorities for surveillance especially during night hours.”
Formation of Centralized Helpline No. is implemented for ensuring safety and security of healthcare personnels. Such Helplines should also be made available in every healthcare facility as early as possible- were some of the other directives given by the state government said.
“All committees including internal complaints committee should be made fully functional by the department. A panic call button alarm system along with access control systems should be made operational in every healthcare facility as early as possible,” the directives said. The panic button was also demanded by the doctors.
“A Centrally Monitored Real Time Bed Availability Information System must be operationalized in all the Government facilities. Bed availability information should also be digitally displayed for benefit of public in every healthcare facility at a prominent place, Centralized Referral System should be operationalized as early as possible, Immediate steps should be taken for filling up of vacant posts of doctors, nurses, GDAs technicians etc,” the letter said.
“A robust grievance redressal system should be developed to promptly address the grievances and complaints of all the stakeholders including patient & patient parties,” Pant said in his directives.
The protest of the junior doctors in RG Kar Medical College & Hospital entered 41 days while their protests touched 10 days in front of state Health Department “Swasthya Bhawan”.
The West Bengal government has appealed to the junior doctors to resume work. Even the Chief Minister appealed to the agitating doctors several times to withdraw their protest and return to work.
The Chief Secretary also gave a ten-point directive to the Principal Health Secretary. The directives from Chief Secretary Manoj Pant came several hours after a detailed proposal by the West Bengal Junior Doctor’s Front (WBJDF) early this morning, following a failed meeting last night.
“Following directives are hereby issued for ensuring safety, security and efficient functioning of all health care professionals with overall objectives to deliver better healthcare services to all citizens of the State,” Pant said in his letter. Pant noted that the institutions must be advised to ensure implementation of these measures in consultation with all stakeholders.
Retired IPS officer Purakayastha has been appointed for the security audit. “The state government has now appointed Shri Surajit Kar Purkayastha, IPS(retd), Chairman Satyendranath Tagore Civil Services Study Centre(SNTCSSC) and former DGP, West Bengal for security audit of all Medical Colleges and Hospitals. Necessary cooperation in this regard should be extended by all concerned,” the Chief secretary said in his letter.
Meeting the demands of the agitating junior doctors, the Chief Secretary pointed out that “it should be ensured that adequate numbers of police or security personnel along with female police/security personnel are deployed in every healthcare facility in consultation with the Home Department. It should also be ensured that mobile teams are deployed by local police authorities for surveillance especially during night hours.”
Formation of Centralized Helpline No. is implemented for ensuring safety and security of healthcare personnels. Such Helplines should also be made available in every healthcare facility as early as possible- were some of the other directives given by the state government said.
“All committees including internal complaints committee should be made fully functional by the department. A panic call button alarm system along with access control systems should be made operational in every healthcare facility as early as possible,” the directives said. The panic button was also demanded by the doctors.
“A Centrally Monitored Real Time Bed Availability Information System must be operationalized in all the Government facilities. Bed availability information should also be digitally displayed for benefit of public in every healthcare facility at a prominent place, Centralized Referral System should be operationalized as early as possible, Immediate steps should be taken for filling up of vacant posts of doctors, nurses, GDAs technicians etc,” the letter said.
“A robust grievance redressal system should be developed to promptly address the grievances and complaints of all the stakeholders including patient & patient parties,” Pant said in his directives.
The protest of the junior doctors in RG Kar Medical College & Hospital entered 41 days while their protests touched 10 days in front of state Health Department “Swasthya Bhawan”.
The West Bengal government has appealed to the junior doctors to resume work. Even the Chief Minister appealed to the agitating doctors several times to withdraw their protest and return to work.
