National Task Force to Ensure Safety of Medical Professionals in India
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Formation | 14-member National Task Force (NTF) formed by the Health Ministry |
| Purpose | Address safety and working conditions of medical professionals in India |
| Mandate | Supreme Court's order, August 20, 2024 |
| Key Objectives | Prevent violence against healthcare workers, establish national protocols for safe working conditions, address sexual violence in medical establishments |
| Focus Areas | Safety of interns, residents, doctors, nurses, and other medical staff; compliance with the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act, 2013 |
| Immediate Actions | Submit interim report within 3 weeks, final report within 2 months |
| Infrastructure Measures | Enhance hospital security, identify high-risk areas, implement screening systems, prevent entry of intoxicated individuals, improve infrastructure (separate resting/duty rooms, Employees Safety Committees for quarterly audits) |
| Task Force Composition | Led by Cabinet Secretary; includes officials from Union Health and Home Ministries, National Medical Commission, and medical institutions |
| Logistical Support | Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to provide travel, stay, and secretarial assistance |
| Background | Triggered by the rape and murder of a doctor in a Kolkata state-owned hospital |
| Probe Status | Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducting probe; status report expected soon |