Four thematic sub-groups formed to address concerns about safety of healthcare professionals

The National Task Force was set up under a Supreme Court order following an 11-day nation-wide strike of doctors after a 31-year-old doctor was raped and murdered in Kolkata’s RG Kar medical college.

Written by Anonna Dutt

New Delhi | Updated: September 6, 2024 02:54 AM IST

2 min read

People protest in Kolkata, demanding justice for the trainee doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at the R G Kar Hospital. (Express Photo by Partha Paul)

Four thematic sub-groups were formed under the National Task Force that was looking into ways of ensuring safety of healthcare professionals at the workplace.

The sub-committees will look into four main areas — strengthening of infrastructure in medical institutions, strengthening of security systems, revamping of working conditions, and the legal framework across the states, according to a notice issued Thursday.

The sub-groups have been asked to submit their recommendations along with an action plan in three weeks to the health ministry, which will then be presented before the National Task Force for finalisation, the memorandum said.

Other than members from the National Task Force, the sub-groups will have representation from states — secretaries of health or medical education from Assam, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh will be a part of the four sub-committees. Representatives from the Police Department of Delhi, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh will also be a part of the sub-committee on strengthening security in medical institutions. Representatives from the home ministry — not below the rank of a joint secretary — will also be a part of two of the four sub-committees, the ones on strengthening security and legal framework.

“The Sub-groups may hold meetings with the stakeholders who have submitted their views on the portal and such other stakeholders as they deem fit to ascertain their views first hand,” the memorandum read.

The health ministry had created an online link for stakeholders to submit their suggestions nearly 10 days ago.

Anonna Dutt

Anonna Dutt is a Principal Correspondent who writes primarily on health at the Indian Express. She reports on myriad topics ranging from the growing burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension to the problems with pervasive infectious conditions. She reported on the government’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic and closely followed the vaccination programme. Her stories have resulted in the city government investing in high-end tests for the poor and acknowledging errors in their official reports. Dutt also takes a keen interest in the country’s space programme and has written on key missions like Chandrayaan 2 and 3, Aditya L1, and Gaganyaan. She was among the first batch of eleven media fellows with RBM Partnership to End Malaria. She was also selected to participate in the short-term programme on early childhood reporting at Columbia University’s Dart Centre. Dutt has a Bachelor’s Degree from the Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune and a PG Diploma from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. She started her reporting career with the Hindustan Times. When not at work, she tries to appease the Duolingo owl with her French skills and sometimes takes to the dance floor. ... Read More

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