Safeguarding Our Healers: Why Doctor Safety in Hospitals Can't Wait
By Arunima Rajan
Healthcare Executive examines critical steps to improve doctor safety in Indian hospitals.
The rise in violence against doctors across India is, frankly, alarming. It lays bare the wobbly infrastructure supposedly designed to protect healthcare professionals. Each story—from the junior doctor attacked in an overcrowded emergency room to the female physician harassed during an all-nighter—speaks volumes about a healthcare system that’s not just stretched thin but is practically running on fumes. And let’s be honest, society’s growing indifference to these episodes of aggression? It’s chilling.
These incidents pop up in the news cycle, make us gasp for a day, and then fade away, leaving behind a staggering burden on doctors—especially women—who are left to pick up the pieces. We don’t just need beefed-up security at hospitals. What we need is a serious rethink about how we view and treat the people whose entire job is to keep us alive and well. The question isn’t if we need better protection. It’s how fast we can make that happen before we reach a breaking point.
Rohan Krishnan, National Chairman of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA), highlights the critical need for robust security measures in hospitals: "Security is a paramount concern in both government and private hospitals. However, government hospitals require more security as their patient turnout is 20 times higher than private hospitals. Upgrading security measures necessitates a comprehensive assessment of local threats, involving the local Resident Doctors Association, local police authorities, and hospitals. This allows for a tailored approach to determine how many security personnel should be deployed in various situations.
For a 300-bed hospital, armed guards or police constables should be stationed round the clock, particularly in state hospitals near emergency areas, to instil fear among potential hooligans. At present, there is no protection from state or central policies. Many hospitals rely on retired army professionals, who, despite their experience, are unarmed and often the first to be attacked by mobs, as there is no deterrent or fear among those engaging in violence."
Krishnan further stresses the importance of proper facilities and security for doctors, especially women: "Hospitals must provide proper transportation and accommodations for doctors, or there's no point in having a hospital. If you expect a female doctor in her 20s or 30s to come to the hospital at 2 AM, you would want the same level of security for her as you would for your sister or daughter. It's one of the most important aspects hospitals need to address. Consciousness must be awakened within hospital leadership to prioritise this. Regarding technological solutions, doctors should be equipped with alarm systems that immediately notify local police authorities in an emergency. This is essential for ensuring a swift response and enhancing safety measures."
Krishnan also underscores the need for a unified legal framework to protect doctors: "There is no proper legislation at the moment—no centralised law. Each state has its legislation, and no one knows which section to impose if a doctor is beaten up, harassed, or even sexually molested by a patient or attendant. We need proper channelling and functioning to address this.
We live in the 21st century but still follow outdated rules and regulations. Just as the medical field constantly evolves, so should the laws protecting it. A clear, centralised law protecting doctors is crucial, and everyone must be made aware of it. Unless we focus on this issue, the problems will persist. A central law protecting doctors is essential to ensure their safety and dignity."
Krishnan outlines the essential elements that should be included in a law to protect doctors: "The key elements that should be included in the law are specifics on how many security professionals are required, how many CCTVs should be installed, and how many people should be allowed in emergency areas. Additionally, there must be a clear protocol on what to do in case of violence against a doctor.
In the Central Healthcare Protection Act, assaulting a doctor on emergency duty should be a non-bailable offence. This would create a strong deterrent, so no one would even think about such actions, which severely impacts doctors' morale. Doctors are white-collared workers united across the nation, but they are easily accessible and easily scared. We must ensure our safety and security."
Echoing Krishnan's call for stronger legal protections, RTI activist Vivek Pandey takes it further by advocating for hospitals to be declared safe zones with controlled access, stricter security through CCTV, and routine emergency drills. Pandey supports the need for a Central Protection Act with severe penalties, including up to five years of imprisonment for those committing violence against healthcare workers. He also emphasises the importance of gender-sensitive policies, particularly for female doctors working night shifts. He calls on private hospitals to lead the charge in enhancing infrastructure, implementing zero-tolerance policies toward violence, and fostering a culture of respect and safety for all healthcare professionals.
Leveraging Technology
In alignment with these measures, Aviral Mathur, President of the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association, underscores the pivotal role of technology in bolstering doctor safety.
AI-powered surveillance systems: By integrating AI with existing CCTV infrastructure, hospitals can detect aggressive behaviour or suspicious activity in real-time, allowing authorities to respond swiftly before a situation escalates.
Panic buttons: Installing panic buttons in all doctor's chambers, wards, and corridors would enable immediate alerts to be sent to security and law enforcement teams.
Mobile safety apps: Hospitals should introduce dedicated safety apps to report emergencies or suspicious activities, particularly for female staff. These apps could be GPS-enabled for real-time location tracking and faster response times.
Smart locks and restricted access: Smart locks and role-based restricted access systems can help prevent unauthorised individuals from entering sensitive areas within hospitals.
Enhanced lighting and secure spaces: Improving lighting in corridors and parking areas is essential. Additionally, hospitals should establish safe rooms or secure resting areas for female doctors, particularly during night shifts.
Create a Safer Workplace
Mathur suggests several steps hospitals should take to ensure a safer environment:
Strict no-violence policy: Hospitals must enforce a zero-tolerance stance on violence or harassment towards healthcare workers, backed by swift legal action and thorough internal investigations.
Regular training for staff and patients: Hospital staff must receive ongoing training in conflict resolution and managing high-stress situations. Equally important is educating patients and their families on hospital policies and fostering respect for healthcare providers.
Enhanced communication: Clear, transparent communication between doctors and patients about treatment plans and outcomes can help minimise misunderstandings, which often cause violence.
Support for female doctors: Hospitals need to adopt gender-sensitive measures, including harassment reporting systems, support networks, and mentorship programs that address the unique challenges faced by female healthcare professionals.
Strengthening Legal Protection for Healthcare Workers
Mathur believes the Central Healthcare Protection Act should directly address the unique risks healthcare professionals face by:
Severe penalties for violence: Unlike current regulations, the new law should classify physical assaults or threats against doctors as non-bailable offences, with a minimum prison sentence of seven years.
Fast-track courts for medical violence cases: To expedite justice, the Act should introduce fast-track courts dedicated to handling cases of violence against healthcare professionals.
Compensation for affected healthcare workers: The Act should ensure compensation for healthcare workers who experience physical or psychological harm from attacks and access to medical and legal support.
National security protocol for hospitals: The law must enforce a national standard for security in both public and private hospitals, with regular audits by independent bodies to ensure compliance.
Hospital accountability: The Act should hold hospital administrations responsible for maintaining proper security measures and protecting their staff from violence.
Balancing Advocacy and Patient Care
Mathur adds that while protests have their place, there are more effective ways to advocate without disrupting patient care. Silent actions like wearing black armbands can raise awareness while doctors continue their duties. He also supports using media and social platforms to inform the public about doctors' challenges and push for reforms. Constructive dialogue with the government, facilitated by representatives, is critical to securing lasting changes and improving safety for healthcare workers.
Addressing Gender Bias in Healthcare
Mathur sees gender bias in hospitals as reflecting broader societal attitudes but believes change is possible. He advocates for gender sensitivity training across hospital staff, strict enforcement of zero-tolerance harassment policies, and anonymous reporting systems. Promoting women into leadership roles and introducing family-friendly policies, such as flexible hours and maternity leave, are vital to creating a more inclusive and supportive environment for women in healthcare.
RV Ashokan is the president of the Indian Medical Association. He explains that doctors have a unique requirement for workplace safety and ambience. "The need of doctors to work in a peaceful and sanitised environment is the need of patient care and safety. Addressing the safety in medical college hospitals will address the need of a fraction of the medical fraternity. The entire doctor population of the country remains vulnerable. The only step to mitigate the risks for doctors, irrespective of the sector and institutions, is the central law. Unfortunately, this is being denied to doctors. The common argument is that Law and Order is a state subject. Then, there is no justification for a Central Clinical Establishments Act since hospitals are a state subject. Unlike Chartered Accountants, engineers and lawyers, doctors' services touch all citizens. In any case, doctors touch human health and lives," adds Ashokan.
However, Sunil Chandy, Chief Medical Officer of ITC India, sees the issues as even more complex. Chandy explains, "This is a persistent issue with no simple solutions. Two types of assaults take place in hospitals. The first involves the public—an angry patient, dissatisfied with the treatment, who attacks the doctor and sometimes damages the hospital property. These incidents are often recorded, picked up by the media, and quickly spread on social platforms. However, for every case that gains attention, many more remain unnoticed in small clinics and hospitals. In some instances, these events push doctors into such despair that they resort to self-harm."
"The second kind of assault is what we are currently witnessing in Kolkata. The victim was a doctor in this case, but this could have happened to anyone. We may not know the full details or intent, but it highlights the failure of the systems in place to prevent, alert, or intervene in time. Sadly, this isn't the first time something like this has happened, and it likely won't be the last. The issue is complex and multi-faceted."
Chandy identifies three critical layers of the problem: "Firstly, there is a broader issue of declining human values—civic sense, respect, and discipline that should drive respect for life and others. The public's behaviour is increasingly shaped by a perception that the law is slow and ineffective. Many who commit these acts don't even recognise them as crimes. We need to embed respect, ethics, and proper conduct in our educational systems, starting in schools and continuing through higher education, to reduce the likelihood of such incidents in the future. Meaningful change will come only through long-term efforts supported by awareness campaigns in both social and traditional media. Our society must be vigilant in rejecting and addressing such behaviour."
"Secondly, the immediate response system is inadequate. Police actions, legal responses, and punitive measures must be swift when such offences occur. Delayed action weakens the response and impact. While laws exist to protect, enforcement is often lacking, and those in power can evade consequences. Suo moto action should be swift when complaints are delayed."
"Thirdly, this situation should act as a wake-up call to create a security system that integrates trained personnel at key points and uses technology such as cameras, access codes, alarms, and emergency codes for violent incidents. Female doctors, particularly those working night shifts, must be trained in risk management, and hospitals should conduct regular drills to ensure these safety measures are effective."
Chandy also stresses practical measures: "There are simple security tools like pepper spray, pendant alarms, and personal protection devices, but expecting doctors to carry these during their shifts isn't feasible. The real solution lies in implementing secure systems—digital access codes in common areas like corridors and seminar rooms. Female doctors should be taught to take basic precautions, like checking rooms before entering and ensuring locks are in place. These small steps can make a significant difference."
"While having laws in place is essential, they are insufficient without proper enforcement. The issue is similar to our road traffic system—where rules exist, but people break them because there is little fear of enforcement. Running red lights, overtaking on the wrong side, or using mobile phones while driving are common because penalties are rarely enforced. Law enforcement, from the police to the judiciary, needs to be synchronised, and there must be collective accountability for failures."
"It's not just doctors who are at risk. Journalists, lawyers, shopkeepers—many people are vulnerable. The real change begins with improving public behaviour. A transformation in societal attitudes, supported by robust government and law enforcement measures, is the only way to address the current crisis,” concludes Chandy.