The National Medical Commission (NMC) has issued a notice directing all medical colleges and institutes to comply with Post Graduate Medical Education Board’s (PGMEB) directive on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) orders. This notice was issued on August 24, 2024.
The PGMEB’s letter emphasizes the importance of complying with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) orders dated June 12, 2024, January 29, 2024, and August 3, 2024, in Case No. 343/11/13/2023.
The NHRC orders pertain to the implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (PoSH Act, 2013). The PGMEB has instructed all concerned medical institutions to strictly adhere to the provisions outlined in these orders.
NHRC in its order dated 12.06.2024 observed that the websites of the Medical Colleges do not display information about the composition of the ICC/LCs/ICs, the details of the email IDs, the contact numbers of the designated persons, nor the procedure prescribed for submitting an online complaint.
Additionally, the judgment dated 12.05.2023 passed by the Supreme Court of India in Civil Appeal No. 2482/2014 states the following directives:
(i) The Union of India, all State Governments and Union Territories are directed to undertake a timebound exercise to verify as to whether all the concerned Ministries, Departments, Government organizations, authorities, Public Sector Undertakings, institutions, bodies, etc. have constituted ICCs/LCs/ICs, as the case may be and that the composition of the said Committees are strictly in terms of the provisions of the PoSH Act.
(ii) It shall be ensured that necessary information regarding the constitution and composition of the ICCs/LCs/ICs, details of the e-mail IDs and contact numbers of the designated person(s), the procedure prescribed for submitting an online complaint, as also the relevant rules, regulations and internal policies are made readily available on the website of the concerned Authority/Functionary/ Organisation/ Institution/ Body, as the case may be. The information furnished shall also be updated from time to time.
The directive highlights the significance of creating a safe and respectful work environment for women in the medical field. By complying with the NHRC orders, medical institutions can take proactive steps to prevent and address sexual harassment, promoting a culture of dignity and equality.
