The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has once again written to the Supreme Court-appointed National Task Force (NTF), for a central law, seeking protection of healthcare professionals and declaring hospitals as ‘Safe Zones’ across the States. The NTF is tasked with creating protocols to ensure the safety and security of medical personnel. The IMA’s request comes in response to the suggestions sought by the NTF, which is tasked with creating protocols to ensure the safety and security of medical personnel.

The NTF has been set up following a series of protests by doctors, triggered by the tragic rape and murder of a female trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. In their letter to the NTF, the IMA called for a uniform central law arguing that it acts as a deterrent and ensures consistent handling of violence across all states. They provided several documents to support their case, including a survey of 3,885 doctors, a draft legislation - “The Healthcare Service Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of violence and damage to property) Bill, 2019”, the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act September 2020 among others as annexures, and related legislative amendments.

“The only preventive strategy that could be applied across the board and across all the States is deterrent central law in statute. Absence of such law has resulted in half-hearted actions by the police and less than optimum investigations and prosecution of the incident,” it said. The IMA which is the largest body of the medical professionals from across the country contended that the lack of a national law leads to inconsistent enforcement and inadequate protection.

The IMA has proposed that hospitals be designated as safe zones, with enhanced security measures. This designation, they argue, should be incorporated into the proposed central law, ensuring hospitals receive necessary security while maintaining a patient-friendly and culturally sensitive approach.