Kottayam: Health Minister Veena George said that a security audit will be conducted at all major government hospitals in Kerala.
George said that sufficient CCTV will be set up at government medical colleges, besides district, taluk, general hospitals in the state.
The minister was responding after meeting the family of a newborn that was stolen from inside the maternity ward of the Government Medical College here on Thursday.
The baby was found within hours after the timely intervention of the police and locals. Neethu Raj, the Thiruvalla native who stole the baby, had arrived in the uniform of a nurse. It is understood that she was also wearing an ID card as well.
George said that the four-day-old baby and its mother were healthy and will be discharged on Saturday.
Even though a government order with regards to enhancing CCTV surveillance was issued last year in the wake of attacks on healthcare workers, it appears there has been a delay in implementation.
"The government sees the matter seriously and will bring about a timely revision to the security system in place at all major government hospitals in the state," said Veena George.
The minister said that the joint director of Medical Education has been asked to prepare a detailed report on the lapse that occurred at Kottayam MCH.
"Hereafter, all healthcare workers at major hospitals must display their ID cards. The security system will be enhanced without hindering the privacy of patients."
The state government had earlier decided to ensure sufficient CCTV at major hospitals in the wake of attacks on healthcare workers on COVID duty.
