Safety of doctors to be ensured: Health minister

Bhubaneswar: Health minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak today said the State government is taking steps to ensure the safety of doctors working in hospitals in the State.

“There is a law passed in 2009 to protect doctors. To ensure strict enforcement of the law, the home secretary has talked to the DG. We will ensure proper environment for doctors to work safely,” Nayak told news men here.

“We are making arrangements to protect doctors on duty. In case some issues arise at the work place of doctors or at sensitive places in hospitals, we have asked the Home department to take immediate action,” he added.

Health Secretary Arati Ahuja had on Friday urged the Home Department to open a police outpost in the premises of each district headquarters hospital and sub-divisional hospital in the State.

Notably, two days back, relatives of patients attacked Medicine Specialist Dr Bharat Samal working at the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital and Soro Medical Officer Dr Debashis Nayak alleging delay in treatment of their patients.

A day before, relatives of a patient had ransacked the Puri district headquarters hospital and beat up hospital staff, including doctors on duty, after the patient died.

Doctors at the hospital had gone on a strike but withdrew after the SP assured them of 24X7 security.