The AIIMS Delhi administration on Wednesday called on striking resident doctors to return to work to prioritise patient care. They announced plans to conduct a collaborative internal security audit to evaluate the campus’s safety and security measures in light of the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case.
Additionally, the administration has formed two committees to address safety concerns at the institute and other issues raised by doctors.
The resident doctors of AIIMS have been striking in demand of central legislation to protect healthcare workers following the reported rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at a Kolkata state-run medical college and hospital.
In response, AIIMS plans to install AI-enabled CCTV cameras at key entry and exit points of the Mother and Child Block as part of a pilot project. These cameras will use facial recognition technology to identify visitors, assisting security personnel in monitoring frequent entrants and controlling access for unauthorised individuals.
AIIMS Director Dr V Srinivas emphasized that the entire AIIMS community supports the safety of healthcare professionals nationwide but stressed the importance of ensuring that patients are not neglected.
He said that a 15-member committee, led by Dr Puneet Kaur, Head of the Department of Biophysics, will conduct a thorough internal security audit. The committee will include representatives from FAIIMS, the Resident Doctors Association, the Students Union, the Nurses Union, and the Society of Young Scientists. The committee will review security measures at AIIMS and its outreach campuses, including those in NCI Jhajjar, NDDTC Ghaziabad, and CRHSP Ballabgarh, both during the day and night. They will make recommendations for any additional security measures needed.
Dr Srinivas also noted that the Indian government and the Supreme Court are committed to ensuring healthcare professionals’ safety and have urged doctors to resume their duties in the interest of patient care.
A four-member committee, consisting of the Dean (Academic), Dean (Research), Medical Superintendent, and Chief Security Officer, has been established to address immediate concerns of healthcare professionals at AIIMS.
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Furthermore, the Director of AIIMS has observed that frequent external individuals entering and exiting various buildings as patient attendants or delivery agents have raised suspicions. This issue has led to difficulties for security staff in distinguishing between genuine and unauthorized visitors, potentially leading to patient harm or misinformation.
To combat this, AI-enabled CCTV cameras will be installed at key points in the Mother and Child Block to improve visitor identification and access control.
The resident doctors plan to protest at Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, marking the 10th day of their indefinite strike. Elective services at several government hospitals have been suspended due to the protests. Statements from AIIMS, GTB, Lady Hardinge Medical College, Maulana Azad Medical College, and their associated hospitals have called for participation in the silent protest.
Resident Doctors’ Associations from major Delhi hospitals, along with FORDA and FAIMA, are participating in the indefinite strike. The body of the postgraduate trainee doctor was discovered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. A civic volunteer has been arrested in connection with the crime, and the Calcutta High Court has transferred the case to the CBI. (With inputs from PTI)
