To condemn the violence against doctors in West Bengal, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) will observe a nationwide protest on Friday. In a statement, the IMA said it was worried over the brutal attack on Dr. Paribha Mukherjee at NRS Medical College in Kolkata. The World Medical Association has passed a resolution against violence on healthcare centres and called for bringing strong legislation.
The IMA demanded a national law against hospital violence that provided minimum seven years imprisonment for perpetrators of hospital violence. It demanded a law that would ensure cases are registered and culprits are arrested and convicted. The IMA said mandatory provisions in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act be instituted. The IMA wants hospitals to be declared special zones and the State to provide security to them.
On Friday, doctors will wear black badges and hold a protests at the headquarters of State units. All 2,500 local branches will email an appeal for a Central law against hospital violence to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The IMA said the protest will directly affect patients and doctors will be reluctant to take up risky cases. It said, “The threat of violence will increase the stress level of healthcare workers and sound judgement regarding patient care will also be compromised in such situations.”