Maharshtra: 14 medical colleges in Maharashtra to be manned by guards

Mumbai: The state government has decided to deploy 1231 guards at 14 medical colleges at an expenditure of Rs. 33.77 crore, in order to provide better security to doctors. The deployment is expected to bring an end to the everyday altercations between doctors and patients at various state hospitals. This was stated in a government resolution, issued on Thursday.

Details of the deployment were submitted to the state government last year by the Maharashtra State Security .

“Due to the involvement of Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, we have been asked to follow the deadlines strictly this time. As the security will be provided by MSSC, which is a part of the state government and there is no question of floating tenders, work will take place in full speed,” said a senior MED official .

The state had in a written communication to the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) and the Bombay High Court stated that it would be deploying 500 security guards, capable of maintaining law and order, by April 5 and the remaining would be positioned by April 30, 2017.

Dr Yashowardhan Kabra, President, Central MARD, said despite repeated meetings and promises, the issue of security has been delayed because of a delay in the passing of a government resolution; which happened on Thursday.

“As a follow up, we sent a letter to the state government asking them to issue the GR as soon as possible so that the implementation could take place. The attacks are still taking place and it will be better if necessary documentation is done immediately,” said Dr Kabra.

Praveen Dixit, former DIG, has been appointed by the state to head a committee to audit security in government medical colleges and submit a report.

“We are yet to receive orders from state officials about starting the audit. Once we get it, necessary mechanism will be put in place,” said Dixit to HT.

Four Medical Colleges of Mumbai: KEM, LTMG Sion, BYL Nair and Cooper Hospitals have already been provided with 15-20 guards each, by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The state government’s security measures, however, are yet to be implemented.The pass system for 'one-patient-two-relatives' is already in place at almost all the hospitals, as one of the many measures undertaken.