Thiruvananthapuram: The government’s announcement regarding the installation of CCTV cameras and police outposts in all state-run hospitals has proven to be mere words. Following the tragic murder of Dr. Vandana Das, a high-level meeting had convened under the Chief Minister’s leadership, which resulted in a resolution to enhance hospital security. However, the sluggish implementation of this decision has drawn wide criticism, even from healthcare professionals.
During the high-level meeting presided by the Chief Minister, it was resolved that strict security measures would be implemented everywhere which included the installation of CCTV cameras at all healthcare facilities, from primary health centers to district hospitals. It was decided that CCTV or video footage would be recorded when suspects were brought to the hospital for medical examinations. It was also decided to establish police outposts as part of enhanced security measures.
But even after months, the installation of CCTV cameras has only taken place at few key locations, like the health department headquarters. An unofficial explanation for this delay is the alleged lack of funding allocation from the finance department. Similarly, the proposal to establish police outposts for the protection of healthcare workers has also made no progress.
At the same time, incidents of harassment by anti-socials are becoming a common happening in government hospitals, including the Peroorkada district hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. The lack of police personnel is cited as the reason for not setting up the police outpost.
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