Outraged over growing cases of attack on doctors, the recent one at Chennai a day ago where locals obstructed cremation of a doctor, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for enactment of a Central law to check violence against medical professionals across the nation.
“Our legitimate needs for safe workplaces have to be met. Abuse and violence should stop immediately,” the IMA said in a statement here.
The IMA stated that doctors and medical professionals across the country will light candles at 9 pm on April 22, 2020 as protest and vigil against the violence and abuse. The IMA termed it as “White Alert” to the nation.
IMA president Dr Rajan Sharma said, “It is a matter of great concern that these doctors who had died in their line of duty be treated shabbily and in such an uncivilised manner.”
He also slammed the Government for not giving proper attention to the issues faced by the doctors amid the pandemic situation.
“The doctors are rendering services at extreme risk to themselves. No nation sends its army to war without weapons. Doctors, nurses and healthcare workers of this country have been sent to fight against Covid-19 without PPE kits and they are dying young defending their people.
“If the value of such services are not realised, the easiest thing for the doctor community will be to sit at home. The bigger sufferers will be the community,” he said.