IMA observes nationwide protest seeking central law to protect doctors against violence
"We are deeply hurt to see increasing physical violence on doctors and healthcare professionals. It's occurring day in and day out. The IMA is pressing for a central act against the violence," the IMA said in a statement.
FollowThe Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Friday began a nationwide protest, seeking a central law to protect doctors against violence in which over 3,50,000 doctors are going to participate.
In the latest update, the Union Health Ministry has written to all States/UTs for undertaking a detailed review and ensuring that "prompt and necessary steps are taken for healthcare workers' safety and wellbeing besides implementation of the amended Epidemic Disease Act"
IMA national president Dr JA Jayalal said, besides IMA members, a number of organisations such as the Association of Physicians of India, the Association of Surgeons of India, the Medical Students Network, Junior Doctor Network are also participating in the nationwide protest.
"We are deeply hurt to see increasing physical violence on doctors and healthcare professionals. It's occurring day in and day out. The IMA is pressing for a central act against the violence," the IMA said in a statement.
The Health Services Personnel and Clinical Establishment (Prohibition of Violence and Damage to Property) Bill, 2019, which sought to impose a jail term up to 10 years for assaulting on-duty doctors and other healthcare professionals was dismissed by the Home Ministry saying the special law was not feasible as health is a state subject, it said.
Visuals from AIIMS show a large group standing outside the hospital gates holding placards and chanting slogans.
In parts of Bihar and Kerala, doctors are closing their clinics in the morning to press for the demand of a central law against violence against doctors. In the evening, public interaction has been arranged to form a coordination team in each branch of IMA to stop such violence from taking place.
IMA is going to submit memorandums to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, senior ministers including home minister Amit Shah. All branches of IMA would submit memoranda to local authorities. “All the 1,700 branches are organizing events to mark the protest. Students’ wings are very active on the event as they are the ones most concerned about how the issue is tackled and addressed," the IMA statement said.
“We demand that the government enhances security features in every hospital and declare hospitals as protected zones," the statement said.
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