Centre Directs to Protect Healthcare Workers by Filing FIR Within 6 Hours

A brief notice issued on Friday outlined a new policy holding the head of a concerned institute responsible if no complaint is made within a certain time frame. The notice raised concerns about the increasing violence against doctors and healthcare staff at government hospitals. It noted that many healthcare workers had been subjected to physical violence, threats, and verbal aggression, mostly by patients or their attenders. In response to this, the notice declared that the head of the institution must file an institutional FIR within six hours in the event of any violence against a healthcare worker while on duty.

This announcement follows nationwide protests sparked by the tragic rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. These protests have led medical professionals to demand better protection and safer work environments, prompting the Calcutta High Court to address the government’s handling of the issue and allegations of lapses by hospital administration, as reported by the doctors’ parents.