Supreme Court Forms Task Force to Protect Doctors

Syllabus: GS2/ Polity and Governance

Context

• The Supreme Court constituted a National Task Force (NTF) of senior medical professionals to formulate comprehensive safety protocols for healthcare workers across India.

About National Task Force (NTF) 

• The NTF has been tasked with the critical responsibility of devising an action plan to ensure the safety and well-being of medical professionals, with a particular focus on preventing gender-based violence and creating dignified working conditions for interns, resident doctors, and non-resident doctors.
• The action plan will address several key areas, including:
  • Enhancing security in emergency rooms and other critical areas;
  • Providing restrooms and gender-neutral spaces for medical staff;
  • Introducing biometric and facial recognition systems, Improving lighting and installing CCTV in all hospital areas.
  • Performing quarterly audits of institutional safety measures;
  • Applying the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act to medical establishments, ensuring the constitution of an Internal Complaints Committee (ICC).

Challenges Faced by the Healthcare Workers

• Workload and Burnout: High patient-to-staff ratios result in overwhelming workloads. Healthcare workers experience burnout due to long hours, high stress, and insufficient time to rest.
• Violence and Abuse: Instances of violence against healthcare workers, including verbal abuse and physical attacks, have been reported in several instances.
• Inadequate Compensation: Salaries for healthcare workers, particularly those in the public sector or rural areas, are relatively low compared to the cost of living and the demands of the job.
• Infrastructure Issues: Poor infrastructure in healthcare facilities such as lack of proper sanitation, unreliable electricity, and inadequate medical waste management compromise patient care and worker safety.
• Health and Safety Risks: Healthcare workers face health and safety risks, including exposure to infectious diseases, particularly in under-resourced settings where personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection control measures are inadequate.

Present Scenario of Legal Protection to Healthcare Professionals

• Currently no central law exists to safeguard healthcare workers nationwide. 
• As of 2020,19 States had implemented their statutes, each with varying provisions. Other States and Union Territories had no laws at all.
  • This lack of uniformity meant protection is inconsistent. 
• Among States, Kerala and Karnataka provide their healthcare workers with the most robust legal protections in India. 

Challenges in Enacting a Central Law

• A central law has not been enacted because public health is a State subject, and VAHCW is primarily a public health-related issue. 
• While the concurrent list allows for a central law, the central government has not prioritized this issue, leaving it to the States to manage.

Way Ahead

• Incident Reporting: Develop a robust mechanism for reporting incidents of violence that ensures confidentiality and protection for those who report.
• Workplace Safety Policies: Develop and enforce comprehensive workplace safety policies and procedures to prevent and respond to violence against healthcare workers.

Source: TH