The demand by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) for a Central law on violence against doctors and hospitals is not only justified but long overdue. The harrowing incident at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College, where a trainee doctor was brutally assaulted, highlights the urgent need for a robust legal framework to protect healthcare professionals who are increasingly becoming targets of violence. Healthcare workers, often hailed as frontline warriors, are paradoxically vulnerable to physical attacks and harassment in their workplaces. The current legal framework, comprising fragmented state laws and inadequate enforcement, has proven insufficient in curbing violence against medical personnel. The IMA’s proposal for a central law, “The Healthcare Service Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of violence and damage to property) Bill, 2019,” is a crucial step in the right direction. This law, if enacted, would ensure a uniform, deterrent legal standard across the country, compelling law enforcement agencies to take swift and effective action in cases of violence against doctors and healthcare establishments.
Moreover, the IMA’s call for hospitals to be declared “safe zones” is a progressive and necessary measure. Declaring hospitals as safe zones will instil a sense of safety among healthcare workers, patients, and their families. Another critical issue raised by the IMA is the improvement of working and living conditions for resident doctors. Despite several administrative and judicial interventions over the years, the ground reality for many resident doctors remains challenging. Overworked, underpaid, and often subjected to inhumane working hours, these doctors are the backbone of the healthcare system. Enhancing their working conditions is not just a matter of professional dignity but also of ensuring the quality of care provided to patients. The Supreme Court’s decision to constitute a National Task Force (NTF) to address these concerns is a commendable move. The Government must heed the IMA’s call and take timely, decisive action to safeguard the pillars of the healthcare system.
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