24 June,2016 03:09 PM IST | | Tanvi Deshpande
There is good news for resident doctors of public hospitals in Maharashtra
There is good news for resident doctors of public hospitals in Maharashtra. The Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) is in talks with the state Home Department to check the feasibility of having 24X7 police security in government hospitals that have resident doctors, following a court directive. But this could add to the workload of the state police.
"We are considering the option of having 24X7 police security in 16 government medical colleges that have resident doctors. The idea is to make sure people are deterred from attacking our doctors. The guards will be stationed at the entrances in three shifts," said Dr Pravin Shingare, DMER.
If a patient dies while undergoing treatment, the agitated relatives usually catch hold of the resident doctors alleging negligence. The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has been consistently demanding better security measures with the state government and is also party to an ongoing PIL on this in Bombay High Court
The HC has directed the DMER to check if it is possible to have police presence in hospitals, apart from internal security.
About 1,000 police are required for the 16 medical colleges. The state government will have to work out the cost and make a budgetary provision for this.
However, Dr Sagar Mundada, president MARD said, "If few people are allowed inside the hospital premises, the chances of attack on doctors will be less, as only when there is a mob people indulge in such unlawful activity."
