Task Force planned for healthcare worker safety

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru

The Karnataka government has decided to establish a District Task Force to address incidents of violence and sexual assault against doctors and healthcare workers, officials said on Tuesday. The decision was made during the first meeting of the State Task Force, chaired by Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh on Monday, they added. During the meeting, the Chief Secretary instructed officials to form District Task Forces, conduct regular meetings to address such incidents promptly, and submit detailed reports to the government, officials said.

The Director of the Medical Education Department has been tasked with preparing protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for preventing violence and sexual assault against doctors and healthcare professionals. "These task forces will be established in each district under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner," a senior official said. Representatives from private hospitals present at the meeting also discussed measures to enhance the safety of doctors and paramedical staff. Furthermore, Shalini Rajneesh directed hospital management to prominently display the Prohibition of Violence Against Medical Staff and Damage to Medical Establishments Act, 2009 (Karnataka Act 1 of 2009) in key areas within hospital premises, officials said.

According to officials, the meeting addressed several key issues, including implementing professional training for doctors and healthcare professionals to manage patient grief, providing counseling for patients and their families, devising measures to prevent sexual assault on medical staff, and strengthening the legal framework across the state. The discussions also covered the installation of emergency alarm systems, CCTV surveillance in hospitals, duty protocols for doctors and healthcare professionals, provision of designated and well-equipped duty rooms. "It was discussed to establish police outposts in hospital premises,'' an official said.