Bhopal: In a proactive step to address safety concerns among healthcare professionals, Gandhi Medical College (GMC) in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, has started distributing whistles to women doctors, paramedical staff, and other campus workers. According to a report, this initiative aims to enhance security following the recent tragic rape of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, which highlighted the vulnerabilities faced by medical staff, particularly women, in hospital settings.
The whistles are intended as an emergency alert tool, enabling staff to signal for help in case of a safety threat. GMC Dean, Dr. Kavita N. Singh, explained that while the campus is crowded and relatively secure during the day, the situation becomes more concerning at night.
“It is not feasible to assign security guards to every woman doctor and paramedical staff. During the day, the campus is crowded, and security isn’t an issue. However, at night, there are challenges. The whistles will allow women to alert duty security guards immediately if they feel unsafe,” Dr. Singh said.
Campus Safety Concerns
The Junior Doctors Association (JUDA) has flagged additional safety issues at GMC, including encroachment, overcrowding, and the presence of unauthorized individuals on the campus. These factors contribute to insecurity among staff and students.
The GMC campus, which includes Hamidia, Sultania, and Kamla Nehru hospitals, sees a continuous influx of patients, attendants, visitors, and medical staff. Moreover, the presence of places of worship on the premises increases footfall from various groups, adding to the challenges.
Safety Challenges Across MP
The issue of overcrowding and inadequate security measures isn’t unique to GMC. Similar concerns have been reported at MGM in Indore, while Rewa Medical College has long demanded the construction of a boundary wall to enhance safety. Addressing this, Rewa Medical College Dean, Dr. Manoj Indulkar, said, “The construction of a boundary wall remains a major issue, but no concrete steps have been taken so far.”
This whistle distribution initiative underscores the urgent need for improved security measures for healthcare workers across medical campuses in Madhya Pradesh.