Chennai Doctor Attack: Tamil Nadu To Introduce Tag System For Patient Attendants In Govt Hospitals

The decision comes in response to a recent attack on Dr. Balaji, a senior oncologist at Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH), who was stabbed by the son of a cancer patient.

The tag system will be introduced in stages across 36 government medical colleges, 37 district headquarters hospitals, and 320 taluk hospitals.

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Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian has announced the phased rollout of a tag system for patient attendants in government medical colleges, district headquarters hospitals, and taluk hospitals. This decision comes in response to a recent attack on Dr. Balaji Jagannathan, a senior oncologist at the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH), who was stabbed multiple times by the son of a cancer patient he had treated.

Initially tested at Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) in October, the tag system aims to reduce crowding and improve security for healthcare professionals, following a tragic incident involving the rape and murder of a postgraduate medical student at R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata, as per a report on The Hindu.

The tag system will be introduced in stages across 36 government medical colleges, 37 district headquarters hospitals, and 320 taluk hospitals. Under the new system, tags will use four colors to designate patient areas: green for attendants in surgical super specialties, red for ICU attendants, yellow for super specialty departments, and blue for general wards. Each patient will receive two tags for their attendants. Additionally, metal detectors and baggage scanners will be trialed at select hospitals to further enhance security.

Minister Ma Subramanian highlighted growing public confidence in government hospitals, noting an influx of patients previously treated in private hospitals now opting for government services due to enhanced infrastructure and trust in doctors. He also mentioned the introduction of pay wards in about 15 government hospitals, expanding services to middle-income patients. Following the incident at R.G. Kar Medical College, the Tamil Nadu government has implemented measures to improve security on medical college campuses.

"These decisions are being implemented by the health directorates to ensure safety and maintain trust in our healthcare system," said Ma Subramanian, as per IANS.