Question : Violence Against Doctors

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has the record of the number of instances of attacks on doctors during the last five years and if so, details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has put in place any mechanism to prevent violence against doctors and if so, the details thereof;
(c) the necessary steps taken by the Government to enhance the penalty for violence against doctors; and
(d) the details of helplines, if any, set up by the Government to extend immediate help to doctors who are harassed by patients and the number of complaints received and action taken thereon so far?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) to (d): In order to prevent violence against doctors and for inculcating an effective sense of security among the doctors on duty, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has taken several measures including issuing advisories in this regard to all States/Union Territories (UTs). On the first occasion, the advisory was to consider immediate measures, such as:
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 (PHCs) 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.
On a subsequent occasion, the Minister of Health & family Welfare wrote to the Chief Ministers of all States to ensure rule of law so that doctors and clinical establishments may discharge their duties and professional pursuit without any fear of violence; and to take action against the perpetrators of violence against doctors, as per law.
In the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, Government of India also passed the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2000 on 28th September 2020. The Amended Act provides that acts of violence against healthcare personnel during any situation akin to current pandemic would be cognizable and non-bailable offences. Commission or abetment of such acts of violence shall be punished with imprisonment for a term of three months to five years, and with fine of Rs.50,000/- to Rs.2,00,000/-. In case of causing grievous hurt, imprisonment shall be for a term of six months to seven years and with fine of Rs.1,00,000/- to Rs.5,00,000/-. In addition, the offender shall also be liable to pay, compensation to the victim and twice the fair market value for damage of property.
Further ‘Health’ and ‘Law & Order’ being State subjects, as per Constitutional provisions, the details of number of instances of attacks on doctors are not maintained centrally.