The Maharashtra government undertook a security audit of its medical schools, recommending enhanced security measures like additional guards and functioning CCTVs. MUMBAI: At a time when resident doctors at public hospitals across the country have raised the issue of workplace security after a doctor's rape and murder in Kolkata, the state medical education department on Monday said that it had conducted a " security audit " of each of its medical schools. "The security audit was carried out by the Maharashtra police and the recommendations about extra security and CCTVs have already been shared with the Maharashtra Security Force, which will do the needful," state medical education commissioner Rajeev Nivatkar said.
The DMER oversees 18 medical colleges across the state, besides some other colleges that are coming up. The security upgrade was the main point of discussion at a meeting called by the DMER in the morning. It was attended by health officials and representatives of the Maharashtra State Association of Resident Doctors (MARD).
"It has been decided that the number of guards posted in areas where post-graduate students or resident doctors work should be increased," a JJ Hospital doctor said. Security outside hostels and quarters for female students will be increased. On Saturday, the dean of the JJ Group of Hospitals, Dr Pallavi Saple, had sent a letter to medical superintendents of the various state-run health institutes in the city to immediately inspect the on-call rooms of resident doctors.
"If the security officials mention any improvements during the inspection, the same should be submitted in a report to the office by Monday," the dean's letter said. MARD representatives said they raised the issue of non-functional CCTVs. "It's not only important to install CCTV cameras, but to ensure they are functional as well," a MARD representative said.
He said MARD will also submit its suggestions for CCTV installations. MARD representatives in their strike-intimation letter said they wanted "better security measures, including fully functional CCTVs and well-equipped guards for better safety of healthcare workers". The students demanded good hostels as well as proper on-call rooms.
At some medical colleges such as JJ Hospital, there are special on-call rooms for male and female residents..
