The Indian Express (Delhi Edition)

4 thematic sub- groups formed under national task force

FOUR THEMATIC sub- groups were formed under the National Task Force that was looking into ways of ensuring safety of healthcare profession­als at the workplace.

The sub- committees will look into four main areas — strengthen­ing of infrastruc­ture in medical institutio­ns, strengthen­ing of security systems, revamping of working conditions, and the legal framework across the states, according to a notice issued Thursday.

The sub- groups have been asked to submit their recommenda­tions along with an action plan in three weeks to the health ministry, which will then be presented before the National Task Force for finalisati­on, the memorandum said.

The National Task Force was set up under a Supreme Court order following an 11- day nation- wide strike of doctors after a 31- year- old doctor was raped and murdered in Kolkata’s RG Kar medical college.

Other than members from the National Task Force, the subgroups will have representa­tion from states — secretarie­s of health or medical education from Assam, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha, Gujarat, Jammu and

Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtr­a, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh will be a part of the four sub- committees. Representa­tives from the Police Department of Delhi, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh will also be a part of the sub- committee on strengthen­ing security in medical institutio­ns. Representa­tives from the home ministry — not below the rank of a joint secretary — will also be a part of two of the four sub- committees, the ones on strengthen­ing security and legal framework.

“The Sub- groups may hold meetings with the stakeholde­rs who have submitted their views on the portal and such other stakeholde­rs as they deem fit to ascertain their views first hand,” the memorandum read.

The health ministry had created an online link for stakeholde­rs to submit their suggestion­s nearly 10 days ago.