Bengal Govt asked to report on strike

The Centre on Saturday sought a report “urgently” from the West Bengal Government on the ongoing strike by the doctors even as it wrote to all State Governments to consider enacting a specific legislation for protecting the medical professionals from any form of violence. The Centre also asked all the States to take strict action against any person who assaults doctors.

In its advisory to the West Bengal Government, the MHA said it has received a number of representations from doctors, healthcare professionals and medical associations from different parts of the country for their security in view of the ongoing strike by doctors. “It is requested that a detailed report be sent urgently on the representations and ongoing strike by the doctors,” it said.

For his part Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan wrote to all the Chief Ministers regarding the law to protect the medicos and the need to take strict action against any person who assaults doctors.

Along with his letter, Harsh Vardhan attached a copy of the Draft Act provided by IMA — the Protection of Medical Service Persons and Medical Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss of Property) Act, 2017.

Vardhan also cited a letter dated July 7, 2017 sent by the Union Health Ministry to all Chief Secretaries of States which contains the decision taken by an Inter-Ministerial Committee constituted by the Ministry to review the issues raised by IMA.

The move comes after the Indian Medical Association (IMA) launched a four-day nationwide protest from Friday and wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding enactment of a Central law to check violence against healthcare workers in hospitals. The apex doctors’ body has called for a nationwide strike on June 17 with withdrawal of non-essential health services. Representatives from the IMA and the Delhi Medical Association (DMA) called on Vardhan on Saturday.

“Resident doctors in many parts of the country are agitating and not providing healthcare services. Agitations by doctors in West Bengal seem to be getting aggravated and taking shape of strike by both Government and private sector doctors, all over the country,” he said in his letter.

Stressing further on the need for avoiding such incidents in future, Vardhan said that law enforcement should prevail so that doctors and clinical establishments discharge their duties and professional pursuit without fear of any violence. “Strict action against any person who assaults them, must be ensured by the law enforcement agencies,” he emphasised.

The inter-Ministerial committee, in its report, had recommended that the Health Ministry shall suggest to all State Governments which do not have specific legislation to protect doctors and health professionals, to consider one to strictly enforce the provisions of special legislation wherever they exist or enforce the IPC/CrPC provisions with vigour.

“The IMA has raised this concern many a times. Since ‘police’ and ‘public order’ are State subjects, the Government of India, on many occasions has drawn attention of State Governments for an urgent need for a robust criminal justice system with emphasis on prevention and control of crime,” Vardhan said.

The draft of the Protection of Medical Service Persons and Medical Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss of Property) Act, 2017, circulated to the States, includes clauses on penalty and recovery in case of loss/damage to property.

“Our doctors rank among the best in the world and work for long hours under stressful conditions, grappling with a huge load of patients. It is the duty of State to ensure safety and security of doctors who assure that the healthcare needs of the society are met,” he highlighted.

Vardhan had on Friday written to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee too on this matter.