City hospitals raise the security bar

Worried about inadequate security, government and private hospitals across the Capital are looking at measures that will help prevent a repeat of events that unfolded at Cama Hospital in Mumbai on November 26.

Worried about inadequate security, government and private hospitals across the Capital are looking at measures that will help prevent a repeat of events that unfolded at Cama Hospital in Mumbai on November 26.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences AIIMS, which spends over Rs 3 crore annually, will soon equip its security personnel with walkie-talkies and hand-held metal detectors. 8220;We have also requested for another patrol vehicle inside the campus to provide round-the-clock services. As of now, we have only one patrol car. The walkie-talkies are required because the guards need to communicate among themselves if there is trouble in any part of the hospital, and call for help,8221; Sailesh Yadav, deputy director administration, AIIMS, said.

At AIIMS, 8,000-9,000 patients come to the various outpatient departments every day. The faculty association here recently wrote to the institute head demanding better security arrangements.

Private hospitals are also tightening their security apparatus on priority basis. Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, which has a daily OPD footfall of over 5,000 patients, is consulting the Delhi Police for improving security provisions. 8220;We have received a series of suggestions and are in touch with the police. We had a meeting immediately after the Mumbai attacks to assess our security arrangements,8221; Jaideep Gupta, CEO, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said.

Max Healthcare, another leading private healthcare provider, has increased its budget for security and has also made it mandatory for all employees to attend drills conducted by it. 8220;We have started using our reflectors and detectors now. There is checking in lift lobbies as well. The Mumbai attack has shown us how important it is to be on constant guard. We can8217;t afford a lapse in security at hospitals, our patients are helpless. They will literally have to be picked up and rescued, which will be very difficult. It is better to be safe,8221; Dilpreet Brar, regional director, Max Healthcare, said. Max is spending close to Rs 30 lakh on security this year.