Violence against doctors: IMA chief criticises National Task Force recommendations, says they are out of touch with reality

The call for a Central law comes in the wake of rising cases of violence against medical professionals
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has criticised the recommendations of the Supreme Court-constituted National Task Force (NTF) on the safety of doctors, particularly its stance against the need for a Central law for their protection.

Speaking to The Hindu during his recent visit to Hyderabad, IMA national president R.V. Asokan called the NTF’s approach “elitist” and out of touch with the realities faced by medical professionals at the grassroot level.

“We feel let down by the members of the NTF, many of whom are insulated from the risks faced by doctors working in villages and tier-3 cities. These elite doctors, operating from well-protected environments, cannot understand the fears of those in vulnerable settings,” Dr. Asokan said.

The call for a Central law comes in the wake of rising cases of violence against medical professionals, including the recent rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. In response to the incident, the Supreme Court on August 20 directed the formation of a nine-member NTF to address concerns surrounding the safety, working conditions, and well-being of doctors.

Incidents of violence however, have continued: earlier this month, the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital in Chennai, stood witness to a brutal attack on one of its senior doctors, bringing to the spotlight, once again, the long-pending need to improve safety and security across hospital campuses

Dr. Asokan argued that a Central law would send a strong message of support from the government. “While violence is a complex issue that cannot be fully addressed by legislation, a Central law would signal to doctors nationwide that the government stands by them,” he said.

In a recent nation-wide online survey conducted by the IMA to evaluate safety concerns during night shifts among doctors, one-third of doctors who responded reported that they feel unsafe while on duty at night.

NTF recommendations

The recommendations of the NTF have been divided into three categories – short-term, medium-term and long-term – after it received suggestions from 53 associations and 1,700 individuals/hospitals. The task force also identified “poor communication” between medical professionals and patients’ families as a major source of frustration, mistrust and tension leading to violence and even mob attacks.

As per the suo moto petition copy, the recommendations made by NTF for the prevention of violence against medical professionals include the constitution of a security committee in healthcare establishments, the deployment of trained security personnel, coordination with local police, CCTV surveillance, a distress call system, quick response teams, a centralised helpline number and transportation facilities to be provided to doctors and healthcare staff at night.

IMA to submit opinion to apex court

The IMA plans to submit its opinion on the NTF’s recommendations during the ongoing suo motu case in the Supreme Court. “The core members of the NTF may not have personally experienced attacks during their careers, but countless doctors across the country live in fear of violence,” Dr. Asokan pointed out. “The government must recognise the need for a Central law to ensure the safety of doctors, especially those working in underserved areas.”