The National Medical Commission (NMC), acting on the directives of Union Health Minister JP Nadda, issued an advisory on August 13 mandating safe working environments in all medical colleges and institutions.
This directive follows the horrific rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital, which sparked nationwide protests demanding improved safety for medical professionals.
The NMC notice highlighted the recent surge in violence against doctors in medical colleges. It directed institutions to establish comprehensive policies ensuring the safety of all staff, including faculty, students, and resident doctors, across the entire campus and hospital premises.
The guidelines emphasize the need for robust security measures in outpatient departments (OPDs), wards, casualty areas, hostels, open spaces, and residential quarters. Adequate lighting in corridors and campus areas is essential for safe movement, while CCTV surveillance should cover sensitive areas.
To bolster security, medical institutions must deploy sufficient male and female security personnel in OPDs, wards, casualty areas, labor rooms, hostels, residential quarters, and open spaces.
The NMC has mandated prompt investigations into any incidents of violence against medical professionals, with mandatory FIR filing and a detailed action report to be submitted within 48 hours.