Health Minister Prescription To CMs: Punish Those Who Assault Doctors

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has written to all chief ministers and called for strict action against any person who assaults doctors, said a press release from the ministry.

Representatives from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Delhi Medical Association (DMA) had called on the minister on Saturday to demand that state governments that did not have specific legislation to protect doctors and health professionals should consider enacting one “immediately”.

The development comes in light of the recent assault on doctors in Bengal.

The Union Health Minister said incidents of assault on doctors are reported from different parts of the country and this leads to sudden strike by doctors, gravely affecting healthcare services. “Agitations by doctors in West Bengal seem to be getting aggravated and taking shape of strike by both Government and Private sector doctors, all over the country,” he wrote. “Strict action against any person who assaults them, must be ensured by the law enforcement agencies.”

He also requested chief ministers to consider enacting specific legislation for protecting doctors and medical professionals, and forwarded a Draft Act provided by IMA i.e. the Protection of Medical Service Persons and Medical Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss of Property) Act, 2017.