Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 17: Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), J&K Regional Branch in association with Academy of Hospital Administration, Regional Chapter Jammu organized a panel discussion on “Violence Against Health Care Professionals in J&K”.
Dr Pawan Kotwal, Principal Secretary to Government, Health & Medical Education Department, was the chief guest on the occasion. The function was attended by various stakeholders including senior doctors, legal professionals, members from judiciary, police, media and civil society.
Dr Kotwal in his address emphasized the need for the enactment of appropriate legislation in the State of J&K to prevent the medical fraternity from violence and protect the assets from vandalism. He said that there is need to strengthen the peripheral healthcare system which can help in eliminating the huge disparity between demand and supply at the medical college.
Dr Shakti K Gupta, Medical Superintendent, RP Centre AIIMS, Delhi moderated the panel discussion. While narrating recent incidents of violence at national level public and private sector hospitals, he raised interesting questions identifying the reasons for violence, role of Government and other stakeholders and the way forward.
The panelists included Dr HL Goswamy, Retired Principal, GMC Jammu; KB Jandial, Retired Secretary, Health; Amin Anjum (Retired IGP); Shakti Gupta, Retired District Judge; Pardeep Dutta, Senior Correspondent, Times Now and Dr SK Bali, Prof & Head Department of Nephrology, GMC Jammu.
“The doctor-patient relationship is witnessing a transformation on account of changing moral values in the society. Due to commercialization of hospitals, there is a change of perception among the citizens”, the panelists said and agreed upon the fact that there is need to have an appropriate legislation in place, which can provide a sense of security among the doctors.
Earlier, Dr VP Gupta, Ex-Health Secretary and patron AHA, Regional Chapter, Jammu in his welcome address stressed on the need for congenial and safe environment for the doctors.
Dr Yashpal Sharma, MHA, Registrar Academics, GMC Jammu and Executive Director, AHA, Regional Chapter Jammu in his introductory remarks identified the various causes of violence and stressed upon the need of coordinated effort of all stakeholders to ensure safe working environment for the doctors.
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