NHRC notice to Health Ministry, Delhi govt over shooting at hospital

National Human Rights Commission issues notices to government officials regarding lack of safety in Delhi hospitals after patient shooting.

The NHRC on July 18 said it has issued notices to the Union Health Ministry, the Delhi government and the city's police commissioner in connection with the incident of a patient being shot dead inside a hospital here.

Issuing the notices, the National Human Rights Commission observed that apart from the medical treatment of the patients, their safety is also a crucial aspect to be looked into by the administration of the government hospitals.

In a statement, the rights panel said it has taken "suo motu cognisance of a media report that a patient was shot dead by assailants inside a ward of the GTB Hospital at Dilshad Garden, Delhi on July 14".

According to the media report, carried on July 15, anyone can enter the hospital wards without any restrictions. The security guards do not pay any attention towards the safety and security of patients, the statement said.

"Those coming inside the hospital to meet patients are never checked by the security staff. There is no provision of equipment like metal detectors, bag scanners in the government hospitals in Delhi," it said, quoting the report.

The Commission observed that the content of the media report, if true, raises serious issues of lack of safety and security in the government hospitals in Delhi.

Apparently, there is an immediate need for government hospitals to strengthen safety and security arrangements.