Kerala Health Minister orders strict security protocols in medical colleges
24-Aug-2024These audits will be overseen by the Principals, Superintendents, and Heads of Departments, ensuring that safety is maintained at both the institutional and state levels.
Health Minister Veena George convened a meeting with key medical college officials on Wednesday. The meeting, held to address growing concerns over security lapses, resulted in a series of directives aimed at tightening safety protocols across all institutions.
The development comes on the heels of nationwide protests over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar medical college in Kolkata.
Minister George emphasised that unauthorised stays within hospital compounds at night must be strictly prohibited. To enforce this, she instructed the Director of the Medical Education Department to conduct comprehensive space audits in all medical colleges.
These audits will be overseen by the Principals, Superintendents, and Heads of Departments, ensuring that safety is maintained at both the institutional and state levels.
The meeting also highlighted the importance of ongoing safety audits in areas such as security, fire safety, and electrical systems. Specific attention was directed toward the inspection of duty rooms, restrooms, and other critical spaces to ensure they meet safety standards.
The minister reiterated that only two attendants should be allowed in emergency departments, with only one person permitted in the wards to manage crowding and ensure patient safety.
