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By Shibimol KG: After a meeting with medical students on Friday, Kerala Health Minister Veena George announced the decision to form a committee to address the fraternity’s long-pending demands. The decision comes days after a young doctor was stabbed to death by a man in police custody during treatment in Kollam.
The committee. under the leadership of the Secretary of the Medical Education Department, will study the issues raised by PG students and house surgeons and submit a report within a month.
A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) would be released soon for those who go to work in other hospitals as part of their medical residency programme. The young doctor, Vandana Das, was employed as a house surgeon at Azeezia Medical College Hospital but was working at the Kottarakkara taluk hospital as part of her training when she was stabbed.
READ | Woman doctor stabbed in Kerala by man she was treating, doctors hold protest
Issues being faced by house surgeons would also be looked into by the panel, which would take steps to modernise and strictly enforce the residency manual. The manual sets down working patterns, duties and other rules and guidelines for residents and medical officers.
Further, Health Minister Veena George has directed that the heads of the departments to ensure adequate leaves for the medical students. The minister gave the instructions to the officials in a discussion with the representatives of the PG students and house surgeons’ organisations.
“The government is with the doctors. Do not strike in a way that causes hardship to the people. A detailed review meeting was held under the leadership of the chief minister and a decision was taken. Safety audits in hospitals will be conducted on a timely basis. Police outposts will be established at all major hospitals. There will be police surveillance in all other hospitals. CCTV cameras will be ensured in hospitals,” the minister said.
The medical education department has been tasked with prioritising hostel facilities by examining the respective institutions. A proposal for a fair stipend hike is under consideration by the government.
“Health workers should no longer be attacked. Strict action will be taken. Public address system will be implemented in medical colleges. The Chief Security Officer’s number should be given to everyone,” read a statement from health minister’s office.
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