Multiple assaults on doctors this week, even as docs call for strike to implement Medical Protection Act
Multiple instances of assault
Following the death of a seven year old girl, her relatives claimed negligence, attacked the doctors and vandalized Apollo Hospital, Bannerghatta Road in Bangalore on Wednesday. The relatives attacked five doctors and ransacked the ICU.
The girl was admitted after Tuesday midnight with symptoms of fever, headache and vomiting. The hospital authorities said that the child was given all the requisite medical care by the doctors, including the pediatrician and neurologist.
Even though the relatives attacked the staff members including doctors and nurses and ransacked the hospital, the hospital said they observed utmost restraint and called in the police.
The cops are now investigating the child’s death.
Another case of assault took place on Monday. The officer attached to a Primary Health Centre at Wada in Maharashtra was assaulted by a group of villagers. They claimed medical negligence following the death of a woman. The villagers raided the Primary Health Centre(PHC) and thrashed the medical officer. The mob was led by the deceased’s husband.
The woman died on September 17 due to post-delivery complications. No arrests have been made yet but an investigation is underway.
Call for strike
These assaults come at a time when in Jharkhand, the government doctors have called for a strike on September 28, 29 and 30. The strike is called because the Medical Protection Act(MPA) has not been implemented in the state. The doctors have also decided to submit mass resignation to the Chief Minister on October 15 if no action is taken.
Even private doctors have decided to boycott services on September 30 demanding the same.
The MPA is meant for the protection of doctors and hospitals from attacks by outsiders. The Act mandates a fine of Rs.50,000 and also a three year jail term for those who assault doctors or damage hospital property. In Jharkhand, the demand to implement the act has long been raised by the doctors.
Saudi Arabia makes attacking docs a ‘major crime.’ How far behind is India?
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has issued a decree that makes attacking health officials a ‘major crime.’ 67 percent of health workers in the country have been assaulted by relatives of patients.
A recent incident took place last Saturday when a group of six youths entered the Qurrayat General Hospital at 3 AM and assaulted a doctor in the ICU, alleging that the doctor was responsible for the death of a 90 year old patient.
The Health Minister Tawqif Al-Rabiah has approved the recommendation based on a report tpresented by the National Initiative for Prevention of Aggressive Behavior Against Medical Personnel.
In India though, doctors in many states go without such protection mechanisms.
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