Kolkata Doctor Murder: Bengal Govt's New Safety Measures Include 12-Hour Shifts, Mobile App & More Under 'Rattirer Shaathi'

Kolkata Doctor Death: The West Bengal government has launched a safety programme called 'Rattirer Shaathi' to protect women working night shifts in hospitals, medical colleges, and other workplaces.

RG Kar Doctor Death: Junior doctors of Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (RIMS) protest against the alleged rape and murder of a Kolkata-based trainee doctor, in Ranchi, Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024.

Source : PTI

RG Kar Doctor Death: In response to the tragic incident involving the rape and murder of a young female doctor in Kolkata, the West Bengal government has launched a comprehensive safety programme for women working night shifts. The initiative, named 'Rattirer Shaathi' (Helpers of the Night), aims to improve working conditions and security in government hospitals, medical colleges, hostels, and other night-time workplaces.

All faculty, staff, and security personnel are mandated to display identification cards while Security officers will be stationed by the police at all major medical facilities for overall supervision.

Women's working hours, including those of female doctors, will be limited to a maximum of 12 hours. Night shifts should be avoided whenever possible, the order states.

Security staff at medical and district hospitals should include both male and female guards to ensure balanced representation. The guidelines aim to ensure that women can work safely at night in hospitals, medical colleges, hostels, and other related workplaces.

Kolkata Doctor Death: Key Directives Under West Bengal Govt's 'Rattirer Shaathi' Initiative

Following extensive deliberations by senior government officials, the new guidelines include:

• Designated Facilities: Separate, clearly marked restrooms and toilets for women working night shifts.
• Nighttime Assistance: 'Rattirer Shaathi', or female volunteers, will be present during night shifts to provide support and ensure safety.
• CCTV Coverage: Safe zones for women will be established and monitored by CCTV to ensure continuous surveillance.
• Mobile Application: A mandatory mobile app with an alarm feature will be developed. All women working night shifts must download this app, which will be connected to local police stations and control rooms for quick emergency alerts.
• Identification Tags: All employees and security personnel must wear identification tags. Police will be deployed to assist with security in hospitals.
• Work Hours Regulation: No staff, including doctors and workers, should work more than 12 hours at a stretch. Whenever possible, women should be exempt from night shifts.
• Emergency Helplines: The helplines 100 and 112 must be extensively used during emergencies.
• Security and Testing: Security checks and breathalyser tests will be conducted at medical and district hospitals, as well as super-speciality hospitals.
• Visakha Committees: All organisations are urged to establish Visakha Committees to address sexual harassment at workplaces if not already in place.
• Sensitisation Programme: A programme to sensitise all government and private organisations on women’s safety will be implemented across districts.
• Pair Work Scheduling: Organisations are encouraged to create work schedules that ensure women work in pairs or teams to enhance safety and accountability during night hours.

Private institutions are also encouraged to adopt the 'Rattirer Shaathi' guidelines. Additional measures include Police conducting night patrols in medical colleges, hospitals, and hostels and adequate drinking water on all floors of hospitals.

"The Bengal government is for the people, of the people, by the people and committed to the people," the order stated.

Alapan Bandopadhyay on Saturday announced the new behavioural guidelines during a press conference. He explained that the decision to implement these measures was made during a meeting with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Kolkata Police Commissioner, Health Secretary, Finance Secretary, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), CID officials, and other senior authorities, ABP Ananda reported.