Doctors' bodies seek law to thwart violence

NEW DELHI: In the midst of doctors' stir, Indian Medical Association and some doctors' bodies like the Alliance of Doctors for Ethical Healthcare (ADEH) have urged the government to frame a central law to check violence against health care workers in hospitals.

There have been demands for such a law and the latest incidents of violence against doctors in West Bengal and ongoing protests have put it in spotlight.

In a letter to home minister Amit Shah, IMA requested him "to bring a central legislation in the form of special law against violence on doctors and health care establishments". "Any form of violence against medical profession and facilities will be counterproductive, demoralise health providers, thus taking away the confidence and courage of medical profession especially in critical situations," it said.

In 2015, an inter-ministerial committee- formed to examine the matter and evaluate ways to ensure safety of doctors-had also recommended a central law for effective intervention. However, the suggestion is yet to be adopted by the health ministry. Currently, 18 states already have such a law in place but it lacks uniformity leading to poor implementation.

According to IMA's estimates, over 75% of doctors across the country face at least some form of violence. The study showed doctors face maximum violence when providing emergency services, with as many as 48.8% of such incidents reported from intensive care units or after a patient had undergone surgery.

While doctors have once again come up seeking a central law with provisions like making an act of violence a non- bailable offence, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan has assured that he would discuss the issue with the home ministry and also take it up with CMs and health ministers of other states.