Lok Sabha Question No. 3930 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: Violent Confrontation with Medical Professionals
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Jai Prakash

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3930 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24 th  March, 2023

## VIOLENT CONFRONTATION WITH MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

## 3930.  SHRI JAI PRAKASH:

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

(a)    whether  it  is  a  fact  that  dehumanization  of  healthcare  has  often  resulted  in  violent confrontations between the citizens and hospitals thereby creating a hostile environment for medical professionals to work in and also putting their lives at risk and if so, the details thereof;

(b)    whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  in  this  direction  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and

(c)  whether the Government has issued any directions to states in this regard including to be more vigilant on the above aspect and if so, the details thereof?

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

(a) to (c) 'Health'  and  'Law  &  Order'  is  a  State  Subject  and  it  is  the  primary responsibility of the State / Union Territory (UT) Government to take appropriate steps to protect  healthcare  professionals  /  institutions  under  provisions  in  India  Penal  Code  (IPC)  / Code of Criminal Procedure (Cr.PC).

The Union Government of India has notified the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020 on 28th September, 2020. The Act provides that -

(i) Acts of violence against healthcare personnel during any situation would be cognizable and non-bailable offences.

(ii) Commission or abetment of such acts of violence or damage or loss to any property shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term of three months to five years, and with fine of Rs. 50,000/- to Rs. 2,00,000/-.

(iii) In case of causing grievous hurt, imprisonment shall be for a term of six months to seven years and with fine of Rs. 1,00,000/- to Rs. 5,00,000/-.

(iv) In addition, the offender shall also be liable to pay compensation to the victim and twice the fair market value for damage of property.

Further,  The  Union  Ministry  of  Health  &  Family  Welfare  has,  in  order  to  prevent violence against doctors and for inculcating an effective sense of security among the doctors on duty, taken several measures including issuing advisories in this regard to all States/Union Territories (UTs) to consider the following:

a) Security of sensitive hospitals to be managed by a designated and trained force, b) Installation of CCTV cameras and round the clock Quick Reaction Teams with effective communication / security gadgets particularly at Casualty, Emergency and areas having high footfalls,

c) Well-equipped centralized control room for monitoring and quick response, d) Entry restriction for undesirable persons,

e) Institutional FIR against assaulters, f) Display of legislation protecting doctors in every hospital and police station,

g) Appointment of Nodal Officer to monitor medical negligence, h) Expeditious filling up of vacant posts of doctors and para-medical staff in hospitals / Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to avoid excessive burden / pressure on doctors and to maintain global doctor-patient ratio,

i)  Better  infrastructural  facilities  and  medical  equipment  and  provision  of  extra  monetary incentive for the doctors and para medical staff serving in hard/remote areas as compared to major and metro cities with better career prospects, etc.

The Ministry of Health & family Welfare has on multiple occasions, through formal communications as well as more recently through video conferences with States and UTs, highlighted the need to ensure safety and security of healthcare workers at their living/working premises.

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