New Delhi: As many as 187 violent incidents took place against doctors across India in the last few years whereas eight doctors have lost their lives in those attacks. In many cases, doctors received grievous injuries too.
The August 31 incident at Tiok Tea Estate in Upper Assam's Jorhat district where a 75-years-old senior doctor was physically assaulted leading to his death is one such instance.
Statistics available with ETV Bharat said that as many as 187 serious and grievous incidents took place against doctors across India in the last few years from 20 states.
Dr Afzal Ali lost his life in a mob attack in Bihar. Dr BD Singh too was another physician who lost his life in Bihar. Similarly, Dr Dinesh Kumar Singh lost his life in Delhi. Dr Sushant Sharma and Dr Manish Garg lost their lives in Haryana, Dr Sethulakshmi lost her life in Tamil Nadu, Dr Ashwini Kumar Bansal lost his life in Uttar Pradesh.
"This is a serious crime and is increasing day by day. As far as Assam incident is concerned, we want the Assam government to put the culprits behind bars," said Dr Amrinder Singh Malhi, President of Resident Doctors Association (RDA) of AIIMS.
He also questioned the Government's sincerity in bringing the central protection law for doctors.
"It's almost 3 months since the government had taken the initiative to enact central protection law but nothing has happened. They brought National Medical Commission Bill at their whims...why not central protection law for doctors!" said Malhi.
75-year-old Dr Deben Dutta was brutally attacked by some people in Jorhat leading to his death. Echoing the same view, Dr Rajeev Ranjan, General Secretary of AIIMS RDA said that demolishing the public property and attacking public servant will not solve any issue.
"The Health Ministry has assured us that it will bring the central protection law in the coming session of the Parliament," said Dr Ranjan.
On Monday, the Union Health Ministry circulated a notification inviting suggestions for the central protection law- 'The Healthcare Service Personnel and Clinical Establishments (prohibition of violence and damage to property) Bill, 2019'.
The notification asked for suggestions in the next 30 days.
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