New Delhi: After the intervention of Supreme Court and formation of the National Task Force(NTF) by the Supreme Court in view of Kolkata doctor rape and murder case, the health ministry has also created a national portal to seek suggestions on the safety, working conditions and well-being of medical professionals in medical colleges and hospitals. These suggestions at the National Portal will be collated for consideration of the National Task Force. The first meeting of the NTF held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Cabinet secretary.
The health ministry in a statement “There was elaborate and detailed discussion on various issues by the NTF members. The members also put forth their suggestions. The members informed that they have been approached directly by various stakeholders and have individually received almost 300 to 400 suggestions. A national portal has been created by the health ministry for seeking suggestions from individuals and different stakeholders across the country. It is operational as of today.” A second round of meeting is scheduled for Wednesday to discuss short-term measures for the security of medical professionals working with state governments. The meeting will be co-chaired by the Union home secretary and health secretary. The ministry has directed state governments to provide information on the security measures available in medical institutions. The NTF must submit an interim report within three weeks and the final report within two months.
The Supreme Court, highlighting poor safety standards in medical establishments in an order last week, said that medical professionals who are posted for night-duty are not provided adequate resting spaces. “More often, doctors rest in the patients’ room or in available public spaces. Duty rooms are scant. Separate duty rooms for male and female medical professionals are conspicuous by their absence in most health care establishments,” said the Supreme Court.