VIOLENCE AGAINST THE WARRIORS

Doctors will have more lives to answer for in the next world than even we generals.
– Bonaparte

Only four months into the year 2020 and we already know the indelible mark this year has left in the minds of all of us. Sadly, it will be remembered as the year of Coronavirus (Covid-19, as officially called) necessitating global lockdown and loss of several thousand innocent lives. The situation has been, declared as a global pandemic by the WHO on 11th March, 2020,and it has called upon the countries across the globe to take serious and instant actions against this unconquerable disease.

India didn’t remain aloof from this crisis and Government of India, had declared a nationwide lockdown on 23rd March, 2020 to save Indians from this predicament. If we see this nationwide lockdown from an economic angle, India is paying a big price, but the lives of people are far more valuable. A healthy population is considered as an asset for the growth and development of a Country, as it is clearly apparent from the current global scenario. The role of frontline workers i.e. doctors and other health workers in this undreamed-of situation has acquired special importance and we must appreciate them for their contribution in such difficult time. Having said that, we are also not ignorant about the fact of commission of violence against them. While they are the saviours of the country’s fortunes, who are working day and night to control this pandemic. Health care personnel and Doctors in India are constantly subjected to the violence refers to verbal abuse, vandalism and physical assault,at their workplace and unfortunately this is not a new phenomenon because nationwide such attacks are becoming a routine.

The recent attack on Doctors and Health personnel in Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh is yet another reminder for a one-time solution is needed to curb the violence against the Doctors and Health professionals with stringent . As we all know that Health is a state subject and a state has every right to legislate upon it. At Present 19 states — including: Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal and many more— have passed what is called the Protection of Medicare service persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, also known as the Medical Protection Act (MPA).The offence is cognisable and Non-Bailable and as stringent as it sounds, however the act, fails to provide the safeguards to the doctors, because doctors and police authorities are hardly aware about the legal provisions. Awareness about the above mentioned statute and enactment of same statute in those states who are left is the need of the hour. It is also evident from continuing attack that only having the law did not prevent the incident. At the one hand we do have Indian Penal code 1860 which also tackle the problem of attack on Doctors and Medical Health Professional via section 120A, 120B, 141,143,144, 146,147,148,268,269,294,320,325,326,378,379,425,426 and many more. 

Considering the violence against Doctors as law and order problem is one side of the coin. The other side is that the Hospitals should be declared as safe zones and provision of appropriate security should be the responsibility of the state, the  State Government must work on Proper implementation of available laws, focus must be given to increase Public Health Expenditure from 1.28% of GDP , improving health infrastructure, counselling patients about possible adverse treatment consequences, and providing basic security in medical establishments because heighten anxiety about the disease as well as finance needed for the disease seems to be an important component of initiation of violence against doctors and Medical Professionals. Last but not the least the doctor should train himself/herself for the anxiety alleviation techniques. 
This is the middle path to solve the crisis of violence against Doctors and Medical Professionals as there were many cases where due to the absence of basic medical facilities patient and patient’s disgruntled relative became violent.

Author- Aarti Singh
The Author is an Advocate and currently working as an Assistant professor in FIMT College, GGSIPU University Delhi.

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