Cabinet Approves Epidemic Disease Amendment 2020

The Cabinet approved the Epidemic Disease (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 on Wednesday renaming 1897, Act stating an act of violence against Healthcare service personnel as a punishable offence at least 6 months of imprisonment and with fine 50 thousand to 5 Lakh. 

According to the ordinance, Healthcare service personnel means a person who while carrying out his duties in relation to epidemic related responsibilities, may come in direct contact with affected patients and thereby is at the risk of being impacted by such disease and any public and clinical healthcare provider or any person declared as such by the State Government. 

It also says, once the case is registered, an investigation shall be completed by a police officer not below the rank of inspector within a period of 30 days and the trials shall be concluded within a year. 

Though Parliament is not in sessions, the centre decided to take these necessary steps to back the Healthcare service personnel. 

“Health workers who are trying to save the country from this epidemic are unfortunately facing attacks. No incident of violence or harassment against them will be tolerated” said I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar. “An ordinance has been brought in, it'll be implemented after the President's sanction,” he added. 

The document suggests that the law does not only support the doctors and nurses but also ASHA, Anganwadi workers and also the medical property like mobile units, etc. Centre can also take measures and prescribe regulations for the vehicles/transportation services. 

Following which, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) cancelled their protests, ‘white alert’ and ‘black day’ scheduled on April 22 and 23. With the rising attacks at the healthcare workers as they are battling Covid-19, doctor’s association has been demanding to bring in the law and provider protection to them.