Lok Sabha Question No. 4001 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-19
Subject: Violence Against Doctors
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Aparajita Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTI ON NO. 4001 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH MARCH, 2021

## VIOLENCE AGAINST DOC TORS

## 4001. SHRIMATI APARA JITA SARANGI:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WE LFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has the record of the number of instances of attacks on doctors during the last five years and if so, details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has put in place any mechanism to pr event violence against doctors and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the necessary steps taken by the Government to enhance the penalty for violence against doctors; and
- (d) the details of helplines, if any, set up by the Government to extend immediate help to doctors who areharassed by patients and the number of complaints received and action taken thereon so far?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

- ( a) to ( d) : In order to prevent violence against doctors and for inculcating an effective s security among the doctors on duty, the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has t several measures including issuing advisories in this regard to all States/U nion Territories (UTs). On the first occasion, the advisory was to consider immediate measures, such as:
- i. Security of sensitive hospitals to be managed by a designated and trained force,
- ii. Installation of CCTV cameras and round the clock Quick Reaction Teams with effective communication / security gadgets particularly at Casualty, Emergency and areas hav high footfalls,
- iii. Well- equipped centralized control room for monitoring and quick response,
- iv. Entry restriction for undesirable persons,
- v. Ins titutional FIR against assaulters,
- vi. Display of legislation protecting doctors in every hospital and police station,

vii. Appointment of Nodal Officer to monitor medical negligence,

- viii. Expeditious  filling  up  of  vacant  posts  of  doctors  and  para - medicalstaff  in  hospitals  / Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to avoid excessive burden / pressure on doctors and maintain global doctor - patient ratio,
- ix. Better infrastructural facilities and medical equipment and provision of extra mo incentive for the d octors and para medical staff serving in hard/remote areas as compar to major and metro cities with better career prospects, etc.

On  a  subsequent  occasion,  the  Minister  of  Health  &  family  Welfare  wrote  to  the  Ch Ministers  of  all  States  to  ensure  rule of  law  so  that  doctors  and  clinical  establishments  may discharge their duties and professional pursuit without any fear of violence; and to ta against the perpetrators of violence against doctors, as per law.

In  the  wake  of  COVID - 19  outbreak,  Gove rnment  of  India  also  passed  the  Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2000 on 28 th September 2020.  The Amended Act provides that acts of violence against healthcare personnel during any situation akin to current pandemic wo cognizable and non - bailable offences. Commission or abetment of such acts of violence shall be punished  with  imprisonment  for  a  term  of  three  months  to  five  years,  and  with  fin Rs.50,000/ -to Rs.2,00,000/ - .  In case of causing grievous hurt, imprisonment shall be for a t of s ix months to seven years and with fine of Rs.1,00,000/ - to Rs.5,00,000/ - .    In addition, the offender shall also be liable to pay, compensation to the victim and twice the fair mar for damage of property.

Further  'Health'  and  'Law  &  Order'  being  St ate  subjects,  as  per  Constitutional provisions, the details of number of instances of attacks on doctors are not maintained ce