Jammu, 23 Aug: The Government Medical College (GMC) in has become the first healthcare facility in India to have armed forces deployed for the security of its medical staff.
This significant development follows the tragic rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, which led to widespread calls for enhanced protection of medical workers across the country.
In response to these concerns, the Jammu GMC has stationed personnel from the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) in its emergency section.
Initially, 12 armed SSB personnel have been deployed, with plans to increase this number to 30 in the near future.
This deployment marks a pioneering move in Indian healthcare security, as no other hospital in the country has yet adopted such a measure. The security upgrade was approved by a high-level committee led by Dr Ashutosh Gupta, Principal and Dean of GMC Jammu.
The committee also mandated daily security patrols within the hospital and the installation of new CCTV cameras throughout the premises. To further bolster security, a local security personnel will be assigned to monitor each floor.
There are also reports suggesting that this model of armed personnel deployment could soon be extended to other hospitals in the Jammu region, reflecting a broader commitment to safeguarding medical professionals. (Daily Excelsior)
