Government’s move on law to protect doctors’ from attack hailed

According to TNMC, every day at least one case of a doctor being attacked in some part of the district is being reported.  Dr JA Jayalal, president-in-charge of the association said, “While these cases were rampant in the private hospitals, they have started occurring in the government facilities.” 

However, while it is the patient’s kin that attacks the doctors, there are unrelated elements who instigate such attacks, added Dr JA Jayalal. “He also said that an act is in place in 18 states to prevent such attacks. “But how far have they been implemented is the question,” he says. Dr GR Ravindranath, general secretary of the Doctors’ Association for Social Equality (DASE), said that the government must address the fundamental issue with healthcare. “The healthcare system needs an overhaul. Many go bankrupt paying hospital dues; there is rampant commercialisation in the health system as well.”

Doctors attached to the Indian Medical Association (IMA) made a representation to the Commissioner of Police, for Coimbatore City, on Thursday seeking stringent action against persons who went on a rampage in a private hospital in the city on Friday following the death of a 20-year-old boy. 

On Wednesday morning G. Pradeep Kumar (20) of Siddhapudur in Coimbatore was treated at Ellen Hospital in Gandhipuram, after he suffered from profuse vomiting. But, he died and his friends and relatives went on a damaging hospital property.  The IMA representatives wanted action to be taken against the assaulters under the Tamil Nadu Government’s Act 48 of 2008. 

According to it, stringent action would be taken against an individual or group of persons assaulting or deterring a doctor or hospital staff from discharging their duties. 

Also, the assaulter has to bear expenses for properties damaged addition to imprisonment for 3-10 years. Chairperson of IMA Tamil Nadu’s committee against quacks, AK Ravikumar who was among the representatives who petitioned the police commissioner said, “If the doctor was at fault IMA will cooperate with the police for initiating legal action.” Doctors said that continuance of such incidents would force doctors to refer the patient to another hospital fearing assault on themselves and their hospitals. Meanwhile the city police have registered a case against “three known persons” who were among those on a rampage in the hospital on Wednesday. 

Based on a complaint lodged by the managing director of Ellen Hospital V. Ramachandran (70) the Rathinapuri Police had booked the assaulters for attempt to murder and under the Tamil Nadu Public Property (Prevention of Damages and Loss) Act.