Hyderabad:
Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha has shown support for doctors and nurses protesting across the country after the tragic rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata. On Friday, he directed authorities to take steps to ensure the safety of doctors, nurses, and other medical staff to prevent such incidents from happening again.
The minister held discussions with senior officials about the safety of medical staff working in government hospitals across the State. He called for strict action against those responsible for the crime at RG Kar Medical Hospital in Kolkata. Rajanarsimha urged the CBI to speed up the investigation and suggested setting up a fast-track court to ensure the culprit is punished severely.
He instructed the principals of Osmania and Gandhi Medical Colleges, as well as the superintendents of both hospitals, to ensure security for nursing and medical staff. Rajanarsimha emphasized the importance of taking strict action against anyone who attacks doctors and nurses. He mentioned that the government’s Clinical Establishment Act already includes provisions for the safety and care of medical staff.
The minister also pointed out that the SHE teams were actively working to protect and ensure the safety of women. He reassured that the government is committed to the safety of women doctors at their workplaces, especially after the recent incident in Kolkata. According to Rajanarsimha, strict security measures have been implemented in all government hospitals following the tragic event.
In addition, the Union Health Ministry has issued a circular stating that the head of any institution must report an incident and register an FIR within six hours if there is any attack on medical staff.
