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Provide security to resident doctors: Bombay High Court to government

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) had strongly protested two such incidents of assault that took place recently in Nagpur and BYL Nair Hospital.

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Court also directs state to install CCTV cameras in hospitals—Pic for representation purpose only
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Addressing the security concerns of resident doctors keeping in mind the numerous incidents of assaults on such doctors, the Bombay High Court has ordered the state to take immediate and necessary action to prevent the same. The court has ordered that the number of people accompanying a patient be restricted to as low as two, while in certain exceptional cases the number could be allowed to increase to four. The court has adjourned the matter further till June 21.

The Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) had strongly protested two such incidents of assault that took place recently in Nagpur and BYL Nair Hospital. According to the advocate general, 'mob mentality' is responsible for the same and can be effectively and immediately be reduced by restricting the number of visitors and also shortening visiting hours.

The court has directed the government to install CCTV cameras in public hospitals so that the doctors there can work in a safe environment. However, MARD's lawyer argued that the CCTV cameras can only record the act and cannot alone prevent it. Agreeing, the court said there should be 'adequate police protection' in the hospitals to curb violence. It also said that the presence of female constables is essential. MARD's advocate further argued that the government had earlier assured that it would install cameras and provide security, but nothing has been done till date.

Sagar Mundada, the president of MARD, said that more than 896 security guards are required in the government colleges. But the government has failed to provide the same and its assurances lie only on paper. A PIL regarding the matter was filed in the HC by activist Afak Mandaviya.

MARD, on its part, said: "We appreciate the fact that the court has taken the issue of doctors' security seriously. The government has given various deadlines in writing previously, but has failed to implement the said measures of CCTVs, security guards and the one-patient-two-relatives ratio. We hope that the government will take fast action, at least now after the court directions, so that more doctors don't get beaten up and feel insecure while working in hospitals."

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