Kolkata: Team for more security upgrade at CNMCH

KOLKATA: The hospital security audit team spent almost three hours at Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital (CNMCH) on Friday, inspecting the campus, meeting hospital officials and discussing ways to revamp the security system. Stepping up the access control, quality of private security personnel, stricter vigilance of visitors and better CCTV coverage were among the issues discussed.

Right after the junior doctors lifted their agitation following assurances from chief minister Mamata Banerjee, the CNMCH authority had stepped up security with additional manpower from Kolkata Police. As part of access control, the hospital closed down two gates, making only two operational - one for entry and one for exit.

When the audit team reached the hospital on Friday, the changes were visible to them. But the team did a through recce of the hospital campus as well as the administrative campus opposite to identify scope for improvement. The team, which included among others additional secretary (health) Sanjay Basal and Colonel Nevendera Singh Paul, DC (combat) of Kolkata Police, drew up security plans specific to the hospital.

"There is scope for improvement. An SOP will be drafted after we visit all the teaching hospitals. It will take some more time," said a member of the audit team.

The team has noted down certain issues requiring regulation - designated parking with stickers for cars allowed to be parked inside, body-warm cameras, biometric entry system at the women's hostel, more security personnel at the emergency ward, training for private security guards, notice boards to sensitise people against assaulting doctors and more CCTV cameras.

Among those present from the hospital were principal Ajay Ray and medical superintendent and vice-principal (MSVP) Sandip Ghosh. They suggested the need for making the emergency unit more spacious and better equipped. The hospital team also suggested colour code for security alerts.

"We believe once the SOP comes into effect, the junior doctors will find the work atmosphere congenial," said a hospital official.

The audit team also asked the hospital to replace the existing collapsible gate at the emergency wing. On Thursday, the audit team had visited NRS and SSKM hospitalds. On Saturday, they will visit Medical College and Hospital and RG Kar Medical College.