SC Sets Up National Task Force to Address Safety & Dignity of Healthcare Workers

This decision was made by a Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, alongside Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, in a suo motu case initiated in response to the tragic incident.

The Supreme Court of India has constituted a National Task Force (NTF) to tackle issues related to the safety and dignity of healthcare workers, particularly in the wake of the recent rape and murder of a resident doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

This decision was made by a Bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud, alongside Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, in a suo motu case initiated in response to the tragic incident.

The task force, which includes eminent members such as Surgeon Vice Admiral RK Sarian, who will be leading it, along with Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, MD, Asian Institute of National Gastrology; Dr M Srinivas, Director, AIIMS Delhi; Dr Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANS; Dr Goverdhan Dutt Puri, Director, AIIMS Jodhpur; Dr Saumitra Rawat, Managing Member, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital; Prof Anita Saxena, VC, Pt BD Sharma University of Health Sciences, Rohtak, among others.

Ex-officio members will include the Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary, Union Health Ministry Secretary, Chairperson of the National Medical Commission, and President of the National Board of Examiners.

The NTF has been tasked with evaluating and recommending measures to prevent gender-based violence and improve the working environment for healthcare staff.

Key areas of focus will include enhanced security measures in emergency rooms, baggage screening, crowd management, the installation of biometrics and CCTV systems, and provisions for restrooms and transport for medical personnel.

The task force is also instructed to conduct quarterly audits of institutional safety and establish a helpline for emergencies.

In its order, the Court directed the NTF to submit an interim report within three weeks and a final report within two months.

Additionally, all states and Union Territories have been directed to provide detailed information about security measures in their hospitals, including the number of security professionals employed, baggage screening practices, and the presence of CCTV systems.

The Court also criticized the West Bengal government's failure to control the vandalism that occurred at the hospital following the crime and emphasized that incidents of violence against healthcare workers are widespread across the country.

The Court has called on all doctors to resume their duties, highlighting that the ongoing strikes have severely impacted health services.

The Supreme Court bench also reassured the medical professionals that it is fully aware of the situation and will address all their concerns.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has been instructed to provide a status report on the progress of its investigation into the rape and murder, while Govt of West Bengal has been directed to report on the progress of investigations into the vandalism.

The Supreme Court has reiterated that protecting healthcare workers is a matter of national interest and a fundamental principle of equality.

The Court will reconvene to review the matter on August 22.