Supreme Court Sets Up National Task Force To Enhance Doctors Safety

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court of India established a National Task Force (NTF) to develop safety protocols for healthcare workers, following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

The case has triggered widespread protests by doctors demanding justice and improved safety measures.

Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud expressed deep concern over the inadequate safety conditions for doctors, emphasizing the need for a national consensus on standard safety protocols. “What is equality under the Constitution if women cannot be safe in their workplace?” CJI Chandrachud remarked.

The newly formed NTF will include a diverse group of senior doctors and key officials to create a comprehensive action plan to enhance safety for medical professionals across India. The task force members are:

Surgeon Vice-Admiral Arti Sarin
Dr. D. Nageshwar Reddy
Dr. M. Shreenivas
Dr. Pratima Murty
Dr. Goverdhan Dutt Puri
Dr. Saumitra Rawat
Prof. Anita Saxena, Head of Cardiology, AIIMS Delhi
Prof. Pallavi Sapre, Dean, Grant Medical College Mumbai
Dr. Padma Srivastava, Neurology Department, AIIMS

The task force will also include ex officio members:

Cabinet Secretary to the Government of India
Home Secretary to the Government of India
Secretary, Union Health Ministry
Chairperson of the National Medical Commission
President of the National Board of Examiners

The NTF’s mandate includes drafting an action plan to prevent gender-based violence and ensure safe working conditions for doctors. The plan will address:

Enhanced security in emergency rooms
Baggage screening to prevent weapons from entering medical facilities
Restricting access to non-patients
Managing crowd control
Providing rest rooms and gender-neutral spaces
Implementing biometrics and facial recognition systems
Improving lighting and installing CCTV
Providing transportation for medical staff from 10 PM to 6 AM
Conducting workshops on grief and crisis management
Quarterly audits of safety measures
Establishing a dedicated police force for medical establishments
Applying the POSH Act to medical institutions, with mandatory ICCs
Creating a helpline for medical professionals

The Supreme Court has instructed the NTF to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months, including suggested timelines for implementing these measures based on existing infrastructure at hospitals.