New Delhi: The government has directed all Centre-run hospitals to allow only one or two attendants with a patient at any time, including visiting hours.
It has also suggested creating a pass system for attendants to prevent overcrowding and monitoring of all visitors. The direction, which has been sent to the heads of all central govt run hospitals, AIIMS and other Institutes of National Importance (INIs), comes amid criticism over the lack of safety measures at hospitals in view of the R G Kar hospital incident.
It calls for restricted access in certain areas among other provisions such as mapping and adequate lighting in hospital premises, particularly in the duty areas of the women healthcare staff, parking lots, entryways etc.
“Adequate number of secured duty rooms with basic amenities should be provided to female health professionals. Deployment of lady health professionals at night should be preferably done in more than one number. They should be escorted in premises while on duty and proper arrangement of secured transport be made for them for any movement at night,” the order issued by the health ministry states.
Government hospitals are more accessible to the public compared to private facilities, making it easier for unauthorised individuals to enter freely, it says.
“While accessibility is important for providing care, it can pose security risks. Hospitals at times face acts of violence, including assault on staff, which can be related to disputes, dissatisfaction with medical care, or external criminal activities,” said an official.
On Monday, health ministry said it had recently decided to increase security personnel in all Centre-run hospitals by 25 per cent . Also, it said, directions have been issued for the deployment of marshals for immediate security related assistance in addition to an increase in security related apparatus.
