Attack on doctors: Hospitals in Odisha to have CCTV cameras, more security measures

Bhubaneswar: After Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan informed Parliament that a directive has been issued to States for the safety of doctors at sensitive hospitals, Odisha Health Minister Naba Kishore Das today said the State government has already asked many hospitals to install CCTV cameras for the safety of doctors.

“We have already given instructions to hospitals to install CCTV cameras. But still, we will look into the Centre’s directive if more can be done for the safety of doctors,” said Das.

As per the Centre’s directives, trained security guards will be deployed at sensitive hospitals. CCTV cameras have been made mandatory whereas Quick Reaction Team will be kept ready at casualty and emergency wards. Besides, a centralised control room will be set up and restrictions will be imposed on movement of people into the hospital premises.

On the other hand, the scene at some Odisha hospitals is totally different. For instance, CCTV cameras are non-functional while security personnel are absent at Kantabanji Hospital in Bolangir district. Similar scene can be witnessed at Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital in Mayurbhanj district.

“For the past two and half years, I have been observing that there are security lapses at the Kantabanji hospital with no security guard and security measures,” said Debasish Tripathy, a doctor.

“Due to lack of understanding, some times trouble erupts between doctors and patients. Therefore, the Centre’s directive is a welcome step,” said Pranab Kumar Das, OMSA district president, Mayurbhanj.