No record of Cases of Violence against Doctors: Health Minister tells parliament

New Delhi: Confirming that the government is well aware of the growing instances of assault on doctors on duty in various parts of the Country and the resultant strikes taken by healthcare professionals, the MOS Health recently apprised the parliament about the various steps taken by the government in this regard

The minister was responding to questions raised by Rajya Sabha MP Shri Chandrashekhar who raised the issue of assault on doctors and hospital staff in the Rajya Sabha

However, responding to question on the details thereof of such cases reported during last two years, hospital and State/UT-wise, the Minister replied Details of such cases are not maintained centrally.

" As per Constitutional provisions, ‘Health’ and ‘Law & Order’ are State subjects. Therefore, the concerned State/UT Government are required to take measures to prevent such incidents under the appropriate legal framework applicable in the respective State/UT. Details of such cases are not maintained centrally," MOS Health told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply

Informing about the various steps taken by the centre to address the growing issue, the minister informed that Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has issued an advisory to all States/UTs to consider immediate measures for inculcating an effective sense of security among the doctors on duty, as under:

i. Security of sensitive hospitals to be managed by a designated and trained force,

ii. Installation of CCTV cameras and round the clock Quick Reaction Teams with effective communication/security gadgets particularly at Casualty, Emergency and areas having high footfalls,

iii. Well-equipped centralized control room for monitoring and quick response,

iv. Entry restriction for undesirable persons,

v. Institutional FIR against assaulters,

vi. Display of legislation protecting doctors in every hospital and police station, vii. Appointment of Nodal Officer to monitor medical negligence,

viii. Expeditious filling up of vacant posts of doctors and para medical staff in hospitals/Primary Health Centres to avoid excessive burden/pressure on doctors and to maintain global doctor-patient ratio,

ix. Better infrastructural facilities and medical equipment and provision of extra monetary incentive for the doctors and para medical staff serving in hard/remote areas as compared to major and metro cities with better career prospects, etc

Doctors across the country have been demanding the passing of a central law on violence against doctors

Read Also : Bill Calling for Compensation to Doctors for Violence to be pushed in next Parliament Session