Centre Issues New Directive: Hospitals Must File FIRs for Violence Against Health Workers

The Centre has directed government hospital heads to file an institutional First Information Report (FIR) within six hours of any incident of violence against healthcare workers. This move comes in response to nationwide protests by doctors following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata’s R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.

The memorandum, issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, highlights the growing trend of violence against medical staff, often perpetrated by patients or their attendants. It also notes that despite existing mechanisms, FIRs are frequently not filed in such cases.

Resident doctors have long demanded this measure, along with a Central Protection Act to prevent violence against medical personnel. The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has also instructed all Central Government hospitals to maintain a registry of such incidents and report them to the Ministry. This ensures investigations continue even if the complainant moves on.