Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra Urges States to Ensure Safety for Doctors and Healthcare Workers

Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra has written to all states and Union Territories, asking them to provide a report by September 10 on the safety and security measures for doctors and healthcare workers. This request follows a Supreme Court directive issued on August 22, which called for a meeting with secretaries and directors general of police to ensure that state governments and Union Territories implement basic safety requirements.

In his letter to the Chief Secretaries and directors general of police of all states and Union Territories, Chandra thanked them for their participation in a recent video conference discussing safety measures for medical professionals. The letter outlined eleven key points discussed during the August 28 meeting, including:

• Identification of high-risk establishments
• Security audits
• Focus on high-risk areas
• CCTV surveillance
• Integration with local police
• Security personnel
• Security committees
• Security checks
• Bereavement protocols
• Patient facilitators
• Volunteers/social workers/coordinators

Chandra noted that many states and Union Territories have already initiated actions based on suggestions from a previous letter dated August 23, 2024. He also mentioned that some states have taken additional measures beyond those suggested by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). All states and Union Territories are requested to provide an action taken report on the immediate and short-term measures already initiated by September 10, 2024.

This development comes in response to growing outrage over the alleged murder and sexual assault of a female trainee doctor on August 9 at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.