Tenkasi: Addressing rising concerns over sexual harassment allegations across Tamil Nadu, the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services has instructed all district joint directors (JDs) to establish Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) in government hospitals that have yet to form them.
The directive, issued on Wednesday, seeks to provide a structured platform for investigating and resolving harassment complaints in all government hospitals across the state.
Dr. M. Kannagi, Additional Director (Inspection) of the DMRHS, issued a circular directing JDs to set up ICCs in hospitals where they are not yet in place. The circular also stressed the importance of displaying committee details and the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act guidelines in public hospital areas to enhance transparency and awareness.
According to recent media reports from TNIE, the government informed that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) strongly recommended that hospitals without an ICC should form one immediately. Additionally, hospitals with existing ICCs must publicly display committee details, including the date of formation or reconstitution, along with POSH guidelines for public awareness.
Beyond forming ICCs, Dr. Kannagi urged government hospitals to conduct regular gender sensitization programs to promote a culture of respect and appropriate workplace conduct.
"As per NHRC recommendations, all JDs of health services must implement these instructions and submit an action-taken report on ICC formation and the execution of other NHRC recommendations in government hospitals," she stated, according to TNIE.
Earlier, Medical Dialogues reported that the Directorate of Medical and Rural Health Services in Tamil Nadu directed all government and private hospitals to prominently display the charter of 17 patient rights, including those of their relatives and family members.
You may like also
