Kochi : The Kerala High Court bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and Kauser Edappagath asked the State Government and the police to expedite the process of finalizing protocols for producing accused or persons in custody in hospitals or before doctors to ensure the safety of those working in the health services sector. The court directed the government to hear and take into account the views of all stakeholders — including representatives of the various associations representing healthcare professionals and medical students before finalizing the protocols.
The High Court said “The government will hear the representatives of the Kerala Judicial Officers Association, Kerala University of Health Sciences (KUHS), Indian Medical Association, Kerala State Branch, Kerala Private Hospitals Association, Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) and Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCT), while finalizing the protocols for production of persons from their custody.” The bench issued the direction to the government after the police informed the court that the draft protocols have been sent to the government for approval. Further the court rejected the request of the government that it required a period of atleast one month’s time would be required if all the stakeholders are to be heard as there were numerous associations representing healthcare professionals and medical students and gave only two weeks’ time to complete the protocols.
The bench was hearing pleas regarding safety of healthcare workers in the state and also compensation of Rs one crore for the family of the young doctor.
