New Delhi: Indian Medical Association has demanded absolute end to the violent episodes taking place against the Healthcare providers. IMA has also resolved zero tolerance to any sort of violence against the fraternity. IMA has expressed serious concern about inexcusable and shameful inhuman attacks on doctors, nurses & hospital staff.
This was the opinion at the day-long seminar organized by the IMA at the New Delhi on May 26. The day-long deliberations spread over three sessions and had speakers from various fields of the society. The deliberations were inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor of Delhi Anil Baijal and had Justice BN Krishna among the other speakers.
“The healthcare professionals in India are the worst sufferers because of healthcare violence. It is beyond any doubt that the stress in the workplace have started affecting the quality of healthcare & acceptance of patients in indoor set ups. Doctors are living in fearful environment in their workplace. The serving healthcare community is in anger in spite of their professional work for patients’ health. The refusal of serious patients in hospitals will be ultimate result all across & which will not be good for the health of the country,” said IMA national president Dr Ravi Wankhedkar.
The situation in India has reached a critical stage and warrants immediate intervention from the Government by bringing in a strong & effective Central Medicare Act.
17 states have legislations against violence on doctors & hospitals. But the poor implementation, inadequate knowledge of police personnel, weak clauses make these state Medicare acts absolute ineffective. The poor & ineffective state of Medicare acts make is mandatory to bring in the central act immediately.
The violence against medical fraternity has complex root causes & need to be addressed by all concerned wherein Government need to play important role. While our medical fraternity is taking onus of healthcare from government, the onus of protection of the serving fraternity lies with the Government.
IMA has time and again demanded the safety of the fraternity. IMA is reviewing the situations and all aspects of Doctor-Patient relationship in a brainstorming session at New Delhi. IMA is doing its best to find solutions for the same.
IMA has advocated the ethical practice, healthy communications with patients, relatives & proactive measures like transparency in charges, Counsellors in hospital premises etc. Patient support Groups, Grievance Redressal Mechanisms, patients’ rights & responsibilities are being implemented.
But at any cost the violence against fraternity cannot be accepted in civilised society. IMA advocates policy of “React, Respond, Regulate & Reach out” for the fraternity to counter the violence.