‘Hosp infra work to be over by Oct 25, RG Kar by Oct 31’
Times of India | 16 October 2024When CJI D Y Chandrachud asked the govt about the spots at hospitals, where biometric access control system would be installed, the state replied it would be at places, where outsiders would not have access. The state also said they planned to set up emergency alarms.
In an affidavit filed by the principal secretary of health and family welfare in the SC, it was indicated that the state had sanctioned work worth Rs 123 crore, a substantial portion of which had been completed. But Karuna Nundy, counsel for senior doctors, submitted that according to the doctors, work had started but not on the scale claimed by the state.
Administrators of hospitals later said a biometric access control system for duty rooms might not be feasible as all junior doctors did not come under the biometric attendance system.
About the security measures, health department officials said they planned to install panic buttons and alarms in resting rooms at hospitals but it would take a few more weeks. Many of the renovated or new resident duty rooms at hospitals have bells for patients, seeking doctors’ help. Some hospitals have also put up gates outside duty rooms.
Panic buttons or alarms inside on-call duty rooms was a demand from junior doctors, who wanted a mechanism to be able to raise an alarm in case of any threat. A health department official said funds had been sanctioned to most medical colleges for the installation of the alarms, which would be connected to the central security rooms. “As a panic button is a tech system needing connections and requiring security personnel to be aware of the working, it will take a few more weeks,” said a senior health official.
Most govt hospitals confirmed they had completed installing CCTV cameras on the premises. They said the work on resting rooms and washrooms were expected to be over in a week. “We planned 10 new washrooms, of which four have been completed. The remaining renovation work and CCTV camera installation are over,” said a Sagore Dutta Medical College official. An NRS official said, “CCTV cameras as well as work on resting rooms and washrooms are over, only final touches remain.”
