The Supreme Court on Tuesday expressed its displeasure over the slow progress made by the National Task Force (NTF), which was formed to legislate to ensure the safety and security of doctors and other health professionals.
The bench headed by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud noted that in the first meeting held on August 27, the NTF formed four branches to consult with the stakeholders and prepare recommendations on the infrastructure of medical facilities, security systems, rehabilitation. the working conditions of medical professionals and the strengthening of the legal framework in all states.
The high court, however, expressed its surprise that the NTF did not hold meetings after September 9.
“What did the task force do after September 9? Why (no) meeting after September 9? Why is there no progress? The work must be expedited,” said the bench.
Attorney General of India Tushar Mehta, representing the agency, submitted that an affidavit has been filed detailing the steps taken by the NTF so far.
Mehta said the NTF’s activities were seen as “dignified” and ensured a lasting solution to health workers’ problems through the force.
He also assured the court that the NTF will speed up its work.
”It seems that none of the National Labor Organization or branches have made much progress following the release of money set by the orders of this court. The SG accepted that no meeting seems to have been held since the first week of September 2024. We are of the view that the Union of India must take serious steps to ensure that the work of the task force is completed on time. the future,” the bench noted.
The apex court further said that NTF meetings should be held from time to time.
The Supreme Court on August 20 established the NTF in connection with the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata.
The task force members include Vice Admiral Arti Sarin, Director General, Medical Services (Navy), Dr D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman and Managing Director, Asian Institute of Gastroenterology and AIG Hospitals, Hyderabad, Dr M Srinivas, Director of Delhi-AIIMS. , Dr Pratima Murthy, Director, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, Dr Goverdhan Dutt Puri, Executive Director, AIIMS Jodhpur, Dr Saumitra Rawat, Chairman, Institute of Surgical Gastroenterology, GI and HPB Onco-Surgery and Liver Transplantation and Member, Board of Management, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, New Delhi.
Other members include Professor Anita Saxena, Vice Chancellor, Pandit BD Sharma Medical University, Rohtak, former Dean of Academics, Chief Cardio thoracic Center and Head Cardiology Department AIIMS, Delhi, Dr Pallavi Saple, Dean, Grant Medical College and Sir JJ Group. of Hospitals, Mumbai, and Dr Padma Srivastava, former Professor in the Department of Neurology, AIIMS Delhi.
The bench ordered the Union cabinet secretary and the home secretary, the secretary of the Ministry of Health, the chairman of the National Medical Commission and the president of the National Examinations Board to be members of this force.
The apex court had directed the NTF to formulate an action plan under two sub-heads – to prevent violence, including gender-based violence against medical workers and to provide a national protocol for decent and safe working conditions for students, residents, senior residents, doctors, nurses and all medical professionals.
“The NTF will have the freedom to make recommendations on all aspects of the action plan highlighted above and any other aspects that members want to include. They are free to make additional suggestions, where appropriate.
The high court also directed the task force to suggest appropriate timelines for the implementation of these recommendations on the basis of existing facilities in the hospitals.
The Department of Health and Family Welfare, on the other hand, was tasked with providing all logistical support, including travel arrangements, accommodation and clerical assistance without bearing the expenses of NTF members.
The apex court has ordered all state governments and the health ministry to compile information on the number of security personnel deployed in all government-run hospitals. The idea was to verify the inspection methods and the condition of the rest/work rooms intended for doctors to check the level of safety and security in these hospitals.
(This story was not edited by News18 staff and was published by the syndicated news agency – PTI)
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