West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday held a meeting with Medical College Principals and administrators to take stock of the security situation at hospitals, days after the RG Kar rape and murder case. She stated that a special app will be launched to help all medical students in one go. Former DG Surajit Kar Purkayastha has been given the responsibility to audit the security situation and provide a solution.
“Surajit will audit security aspect and develop an app where all can communicate. biometric system will be developed. We can’t deliver everything today itself, we are working on it and everything will be provided,” Mamata said at the meeting.
The meeting came on a day when medical students sent a letter to the West Bengal Chief Secretary, pointing out that their demands haven’t been met yet. The junior doctors had decided to end their protest outside the state health department seven days ago and joined work in essential areas from Saturday.
What Did The Students Demand in The Letter?
The students have asked for the following directives from the state government:
- Directive to form a Central Enquiry Committee for disciplinary proceedings against the alleged perpetrators involved in threat culture in all medical colleges of West Bengal.
- Directive to individual colleges to form College Level Enquiry Committee consisting of undergraduate students and resident doctors for disciplinary proceedings against the individuals involved in ensuing ‘threat culture’ amongst all medical colleges.
- Directive to individual colleges to conduct College Council Meeting with immediate effect for the purpose of conducting democratic elections to form Resident Doctors’ Association and Students’ Union (elections to be held within a span of 2 months).
- Formation of Enquiry Committee by the State against WBMC and WBHRB members who are under scrutiny for promoting threat culture and running health syndicate within next 7 working days.
- Directive for the Formation of College Level Task Force/Monitoring committee in every medical college/hospital constituting representatives of Junior Doctors, Senior Doctors, Students, Nursing and Healthcare staff in accordance with the Supreme Court.
- Decision-making bodies such as College Council, ICC as per POSH 2013, Rogi Kalyan Samity, Anti-ragging Committee, Anti-ragging Squad, Grievance Redressal Cell, Hostel Committee, House-staff Selection Committee, Senior Resident Counselling Committee to be made functional within the next 7 working days and to constitute representatives of Junior Doctors, Senior Doctors, Students, Nursing and Healthcare staff. Allocation of adequate funds for the same should also be ensured with status report in the next seven working days.
- Directive on implementation of proper and transparent transfer policy of all recruited medical personnel as per the West Bengal Service Rules (WBSR).
The letter also adds, “As directed by the Supreme Court order dated 9/9/24, the State of West Bengal must ensure a confidence building process with the Junior Doctors. But even after some dialogues in the following days, between both of the parties, we now find that though some of the deliberations and demands put forward by us have been met, but many of our crucial demands are simply not responded till now. We urge the State Government to act fast on the aforesaid demands and issue special directive to appropriate authorities as those demands were also verbally agreed upon. Moreover, these points are the most pertinent with regards to doctors’ workplace security and preventing .”
What happened at the meeting?
Whether the Chief Secretary will give any reply to this or not remains to be seen, even as the Chief Minister held a 2-hour long meeting with the administration and health department. Sources said that Mamata Banerjee has asked the authorities to ensure best security for students and has also asked hospital authorities to take up more responsibilities.
Sources said also she said that Rs 100 crore will be allocated to hospitals for proper rest rooms, wash rooms and other work. It has been advised that hospital authorities should do this and not the PWD.
She also stressed that with the current flood situation since there is paucity of manpower, she will be recruit at least 12,000 more people for the police department. She also stressed that police will undergo on the job training as she does not have that amount of force.
Sources said she also expressed how she feels for doctors and said the administration was trying to do everything but needs time.
According to sources, she also said that while threat culture should not be there, counter threat culture should not come up.
Steps Taken For Security of Women
Meanwhile, more security for women now become the prime concern for Bengal Police and Kolkata Police.
Almost all district police teams have trained private security agency staff following the police model.
Special surveillance pink vehicles have started operating with women officers across districts, which will reach immediately as required. This, in some places, will be linked with panic button.
Aggressive campaign with helpline numbers has started in various areas so that victims can immediately get help.
The Kolkata Police will also carry out phase-wise training from September 27.
The training will include lectures, case studies and simulation exercise. The class size must not exceed 100 participants. Access control measures will be taught like monitoring of CCTV, guarding of hostels, especially at night.
The police will train agency staff to combat challenges of emergency ward and trauma care, parking and traffic issues. How to deal with patient party and response in emergency situation will also be taught.
It has been directed that security agencies in hospitals should work in coordination and cooperation with police and hospital authorities. Participants will be able to appreciate the sensitive nature of duty and respond effectively during crisis. Sources say special WhatsApp groups will be formed where police will also monitor messages.
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