Lok Sabha Question No. 69 (STARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Violence against Medical Professionals
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 69 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 26 TH JULY, 2024 VIOLENCE AGAINST MEDICALPROFESSIONALS

## *69 DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

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

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any studies/research to identify the root causes behind the rising trend of violence against medical professionals and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to enhance the security and safety measures for medical professionals without compromising the accessibility and openness of healthcare institutions and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether there are any provisions to provide financial/legal support to medical professionals who have become victims of violence while performing their duties in the country, States, Districts and UT-wise and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to introduce any legislation in this regard in the country, States, Districts and UT-wise; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 69 FOR 26 TH JULY, 2024

(a) As per Constitutional provisions, 'Health' and 'Law & Order' are State subjects and, therefore, it is the primary responsibility of the concerned State Government / UT Administration to take note of events and eventualities and to take appropriate action to prevent violence against medical professionals including imposition of penalties or setting up helplines to extend immediate help to such medical professionals who are victims of violence.

(b) & (c) Violence against medical professionals is a criminal offence. It is required to be dealt by the State Government / UT Administration under provisions in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Bharatiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) so that medical professionals can discharge their professional pursuits without fear of violence.

The Central Government has, however, taken several measures to prevent violence against medical professionals and to inculcate an effective sense of security among the medical professionals on duty, including issuing advisories in this regard to all State Governments / UT Administration to consider the following: -

- 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 in Casualty, Emergency and areas having high footfalls;
- III. Well-equipped centralized control room for monitoring and quick response;
- IV. Entry restriction for undesirable persons;
- V. Institutional FIR against assaulters;
- VI. Display of legislation protecting medical professionals in every hospital and police station;
- VII. Appointment of Nodal Officer to monitor medical negligence;
- VIII. Expeditious filling up of vacant posts of medical professionals in hospitals / Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to avoid excessive burden/pressure on medical professionals;
- IX. Better infrastructural facilities and medical equipment and provision of extra monetary incentive for the medical professionals serving in hard / remote areas.

Further, the Central Government has highlighted the need to ensure the safety and security of medical professionals at their living / working premises to every State Government and UT Administration through formal communications.

To achieve the mandate of Article 47 of the Constitution of India for improvement in public health, the Central Government also enacted 'The Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010' to prescribe minimum standards of facilities and services as may be provided by the clinical establishments. Under the Act, patients' rights and responsibilities, inter-alia, include the responsibility of patients to respect the dignity of medical professionals and never resort to violence.

There are no provisions to provide financial/legal support to medical professionals who become victims of violence while performing their duties.

(d) & (e) The newly enacted BNS and BNSS have adequate provisions to protect medical professionals against violence.

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