Question : Specialists Manhandled during the Pandemic

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) the number of cases of specialists from Delhi being bothered/manhandled on account of COVID-19 related issues during pandemic;

(b) the steps taken by the Government to mitigate the problems faced by doctors;

(c) the number of PPE units and N95 masks procured by Government and the expenditure incurred for the same;

(d) the quality of covers and PPE packs disbursed by Government run and State run clinics and isolate focuses;

(e) the number of wellbeing experts who contracted COVID-19, State/UT-wise; and

(f) whether Government constituted an enquiry to determine the reasons and slips by in the method, if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a): The Govt. of NCT of Delhi has intimated that no such information is available with them.

(b): The following are some of the steps taken to mitigate the problems faced by doctors:-
(i) Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 has recently been amended by an Ordinance promulgated on 22.04.2020 to provide safety to the healthcare service personnel who are at the forefront in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic. Stringent provisions laid down in the Ordinance to act as effective deterrent are as under:-
? making acts of violence cognizable and non-bailable offence;
? commission or abetment of acts of violence shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months, but which may extend to five years, and with fine which shall not be less than fifty thousand rupees, but which may extend to two lakh rupees;
? for causing grievous hurt, punishment shall be with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months, but which may extend to seven years, and with fine which shall not be less than one lakh rupees, but which may extend to five lakh rupees;
? in addition, the person convicted shall also be liable to pay compensation to the victim, and twice the amount of fair market value of the damaged property or the loss caused, as determined by the Court;
(ii) Further, Ministry of Home Affairs has requested State Governments / UT Administrations to appoint Nodal Officers at State / UT level and at District level, who would be available 24*7 to redress any safety issue on the functioning of medical professionals. They should also take immediate and strict action in case any incident of violence takes place.

In addition to this, States / UTs have been requested to widely publicize details of preventive measures taken and appointment of Nodal Officers, amongst the medical fraternity, including the local chapters of the IMA, as well as to the public at large, to ensure compliance at ground level. A copy of the D.O. letter dt. 22.04.2020 issued by the Home Secretary, in this regard, can be accessed at the following link:-
https://www.mha.gov.in/sites/default/files/DO%20Lr.%20Dt.%2022.4.2020%20to%20Chief%20Secretaries%20Administrators%20DGPs%20reg.%20security%20to%20healthcare%20professionals.pdf

(c) & (d): So far around 109 domestic manufacturers have cleared quality tests and the number of PPE units and N95 masks procured by Government and the expenditure incurred for the same is as under:
Quantity Expenditure (Rs. in crore)
N-95 4,59,09,199 491.15
PPE Coverall 1,92,22,688 1,963.41

(e): Public health and hospitals being a State subject, such data is not maintained at Central level.

(f): No such enquiry has been constituted. However, a number of advisories/ SoPs/ guidelines have been issued to ensure safety of healthcare professionals.