Question marks raised over implementation of guidelines issued to make workplace safe for doctors in Odisha

In the wake of the rape and murder case of a doctor in Kolkata, the Odisha government has issued guidelines to ensure a safe workplace environment for doctors, students and medicare persons in healthcare and health education institutions across the State. 

As per the guidelines, there will be a curb on unchecked entry of one and all into the hospital, ID cards and visitor passes will be issued for the health workers and relatives of the patients respectively, 24x7 security facilities will be provided, installation of CCTV cameras will be mandatory, duty rooms and restrooms will be provided to doctors and health workers. Moreover, monitoring committees will be formed to have monthly reviews about all these initiatives.

 “Our concerns are the security of doctors and the treatment of patients. The guidelines have been issued to have a coordination between both,” said Health Minister Mukesh Mahalinga.

“The guidelines have been issued to provide a safe and friendly environment to doctors and ensure good healthcare services to the patients,” said Health Director Bijay Patnaik.

However, a question mark has been raised over the implementation of the guidelines considering the fact that most of the hospitals in Odisha are grappling with the shortage of security staff and the lack of proper infrastructure.  

Take the case of Govindpalli Primary Health Centre under Khairaput block in Malkangiri district. Doctors and other health workers stay on the premises of the hospital. However, the compound wall of the hospital has been damaged and a fence made of bamboo is there. No CCTV cameras have been installed inside the hospital.

“Many kinds of people are coming to the hospital. Hence, proper security arrangement at the hospital is essential as we don’t have any option but to provide service to the patients,” said Krushnamayee Mishra, a doctor at Govindpalli Primary Health Centre.

Meanwhile, women doctors and staff use the emergency room as a rest place at Balugaon Hospital in Khordha district.

Though CCTV cameras have been installed at Kendrapara District Headquarters Hospital, the number of security personnel is not enough to manage the show. 

“After the Kolkata incident, we feel a little bit of anxiety while doing night duty as we are girls. We don’t have a sense of security after the tragic incident. We request to increase the security arrangement. More security personnel should be appointed in the hospitals,” said Dikshya Paikaray, a doctor at Kendrapara District Headquarters Hospital.

Forget about other hospitals across the State, women doctors are not feeling safe even at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack which happens to be the largest medical college in Odisha.

According to the women doctors in SCB, they are afraid to go to the quarters or the hospital on emergency calls during night hours.

“I fear even when I come from my quarter to the workplace. We will be able to provide healthcare service freely if the campus becomes safe,” said Dr Aruna Acharya, Head of Nephrology Department of SCB Medical College and Hospital.

Meanwhile, the road connecting Koraput Medical College Hostel, quarters and Hospitals has become a kind of haven for miscreants.

“Some places on the road are very dark due to lack of proper illumination. It’s not safe to move from the quarter to the hospital,” rued Ankita Mandal, a doctor at Koraput Medical College.

Moreover, question marks have been raised over the lack of the required number of security staff and proper infrastructure in the Capital Hospital.

“More security personnel should be appointed and CCTV cameras should be installed at sensitive places for the safety and security of women doctors,” said Dr Dilip Panda, Director of Capital Hospital.