GTB hospital shooting: Day after, security outside some wards; health minister assures action

The shooter’s intended target has been shifted to another ward, said sources at the hospital. While there is a guard outside, a source said there are police personnel inside the ward. Only a few other wards have a guard at their entrances, including ward no 24 where the shooting took place. “Right now, there is a lack of personnel. The hospital is trying its best,” said a staff member.

The doctors, staging a protest against the administration’s lack of seriousness over hospital security, disagreed. “These kind of attacks keep happening. Two days earlier, a mob attacked a few doctors at the hospital. Every patient comes in with 10 people. There is no system, no checking,” alleged Dr Hansraj, paramedic president, GTB Hospital.

Doctors are attending to only emergency patients, a member of the Resident Doctors’ Association said.

“The administration hasn’t provided anything. There are no security scanners at entry points. You can enter here with 50-odd people at any point and no one will say anything,” claimed Dr Jitendra Kumar, president of the nursing association. He said that after 48 hours, they will also close the emergency ward if their demands are not met.

“Every year, the same security agency gets the tender. They always deploy fewer security personnel than what’s on paper… The MD is not even coming and meeting us. He is sending people to write names of doctors who are involved in the protest,” alleged Dr Hansraj.

The hospital’s MD was unavailable for comment.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the Federation of All India Medical Association met Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj with their demands.

Bharadwaj assured the installation of metal detectors and deployment of two armed guards at the emergency entries of hospitals. He also addressed the installation and maintenance of CCTVs to monitor and record suspicious activities.

Expressing his condolences to the family of the victim, Riyazuddin, Bharadwaj said, “It’s really unfortunate that such an incident broke out in the hospital. The safety and security of Delhiites and our doctors are paramount. We will also take up the matter with police authorities and the central government.”

The minister also requested the Police Commissioner for the assignment of one police constable on duty round the clock. Additionally, he said there will be a review of SOPs of hospitals to identify and rectify security vulnerabilities.