Lok Sabha Question No. 2060 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-30
Subject: Violence against Doctors and Healthcare Professionals
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: DNV Senthilkumar. S., Shashi Tharoor, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Manickam Tagore B

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2060 th

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 JULY, 2021

## VIOLENCE AGAINST DOC TORS AND HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

2060 DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR. S.:

DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

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

- (a) whether  incidence  of  physical  violence  against  the  doctors  and  health professionals  in  the  country  have  increased  during  second  wave  of  COVID - 19 pandemic and if so, the details of such cases reported and action taken thereon;
- (b)   whether Indian Medical Association (IMA) has also held a nationwide stir agains such incidents and has demanded a central law to curb such cases, if so, the thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c)      whether  the  Government  proposes  to  enact  a  cen tral  protection  law  with provisions  under  CrPC  and  IPC  and  the  mandatory  security  structure  for  all government and private hospitals and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)   whether the Government has directed all State Governments to enact spe lawsto deal with such incidents and if so, the details thereof and the respons State Governments thereto; and
- (e)   the other steps taken by the Government to prevent physical violence agai doctors and healthcare professionals?

## ANSWER

## TH E MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

( a) to (e)

IMA has organizeda  nation - wide  protest  on  the  18 th June  2021  on  the  issue  of physical violence against doctors and health care professionals in the country during the pandemic.

Union  Government  in  course  of  regular  reviews/interactions  with  States repeatedly impressed upon the importance of ensuring the safety and security of health workers  which  are  the  most  precious resource and  support in  our fight  against  the COVID - 19 pandemic.

Further, in order to effectively deal with and prevent violence against doctor care professionals, an Ordinance duly amending the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 w promulgated on April 22, 2020. The Ordinance wa s further notified as the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020 on S eptember 29, 2020.

The  amended A ct  provides  that  any act  of  violence  agai nst  health  care  personnel would be cognizable and non - bailable offence . Commission or abetment of such acts of violence  shall  be  punishable  with  imprisonment  for  a  term  ranging from  three months  to  five  years  and  with  a  fine  of  Rs.  50,000/ - to  Rs.  2,00,000/ - .  In  case  of causing grievous hurt, imprisonment shall be for a term of six months to seven and with a fine of Rs 1,00,000/ -to Rs 5,00,000/ -

In this regard, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare through its letter dated 1 th June 2021 has also requested States to undertake detailed review and ensure thatprompt and  necessary  steps  are  taken  for  the  safety  of  health  care  workers  besides implementation of theamended Epidemic Disease Act.