The Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Saturday decided to observe June 18 as ‘National Protest Day’ in protest against the recent attacks on doctors in different parts of India.
The IMA also demanded that the central and state governments concerned to address the safety of healthcare professionals immediately.
“Recent instances of violence against doctors in Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Delhi, Uttar Pardesh, Karnataka and many other places are extremely disturbing. Doctors have sustained multiple fractures and serious injuries,” said IMA president JA Jayalal.
“Female doctors are facing more violent verbal and physical assaults. Every day violent attacks are occurring across the country,” Jayalal said.
The IMA has appealed to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union health and home ministers and the chief ministers of various states to address the safety of healthcare professionals immediately.
The IMA demanded the implementation of the central hospital and Health Care Professionals Protection Act with IPC and Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
It also demands for standardization and augmentation of security in each hospital and at the same time declaring hospitals as protected zones.
The culprits should be tried under fast-track mode and stringent punishment shall be given, the IMA said.
The IMA further said that 724 doctors have lost their lives during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic