In a significant development for the safety of healthcare professionals, the National Task Force (NTF), constituted by the Supreme Court, has concluded that existing State laws and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 are sufficient to address violence against medical professionals. The task force dismissed the demand for a separate central law, citing that 24 states already have specific laws in place, with two more states drafting similar legislation.
The National Task Force, pertaining to the safety of medical professionals, was setup by the Supreme Court on August 20 by a bench of then Chief Justice of IndiaDY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra.
After consulting 53 associations, 1,700 individuals, andover 8,000 healthcare establishments, the task force emphasized that minor offences are adequately handled by state laws, while serious crimes fall under the purview of the BNS 2023.
Key recommendations include:
Security Committees: Hospitals should form committees to conduct regular audits, identify vulnerabilities, and propose solutions.
Enhanced Security Measures: Large hospitals (500+beds) are advised to establish 24x7 security control rooms equipped with surveillance systems and Quick Response Teams (QRTs).
Police Support: Regular patrols and on-site out posts are suggested for hospitals with recurring security challenges.
FIR Protocols: FIRs, including zero FIRs, should be filed within 6 hours of reporting violence.
Technology Integration: Widespread CCTV installation, addressing network blind spots, and improving mobile connectivity in hospitals are crucial.
Public Awareness: Campaigns to educate citizens on the consequences of violence against healthcare professionals are encouraged.
The task force also flagged poor communication between healthcare workers and patient families as a key trigger for violence, urging targeted training for medical staff in legal protocols and conflicted escalation.
“The only preventive strategy that could be applied across the board and across all states is a deterrent central law in statute. We, the medical professionals ofIndia, expect the National Task Force to live up to our expectations and instil confidence in the minds of the demoralised doctor community,” the IMA wrote to NTF.
The NTF, however, insists that existing frameworks, combined with strategic enhancements, are sufficient to safeguard doctors across India.
