IMA fraternity showed solidarity in a protest against assault on doctors
Coimbatore: The Indian Medical Association held a nationwide protest against assault on doctors demanding central law to protect doctors against any sort of violence.
Standing in solidarity, the Indian Medical Association Coimbatore chapter and as well as the state chapter joined the protest held at Vadavalli near Coimbatore today. Doctors showed up by wearing Black Badges, Ribbon, creating awareness banners, placards at various strategic locations, Hospitals and Clinics. Public awareness about the sacrifices of Health care workers through media, Press, Social Media etc. And Doctor Public Virtual Meeting at Branch levels, have also been organised.
As many as more than 3 lakh doctors from Indian Medical Association are said to have participated in the nationwide protest organised by IMA Delhi. Calling out for the protest, IMA had said in a statement that they demand security features in every hospital and to declare the hospital as a protected zone. The doctors demanded central act against violence on them with CrPc and IPC and said the proposed Health Service Personnel and Clinical Establishment (Prohibition of Violence and Damage to Property) Bill 2019, which seeks to punish people who assault doctors on duty and other healthcare professionals by imposing jail from upto 10 years, was rejected.
Speaking on it, IMA Coimbatore President Dr. Rajesh Babu said the violence against doctors is continuing in states like UP, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra etc.. and we demand a central law against those who assault us. We Appreciate & thank Tamil Nadu Govt for exacting the Tamil Nadu Medicare Service Institution Prevention of violence and damage or loss of Property Act 48 of 2008 in Nov 2008 during the tenure of former Chief Minister Kalaingar Karunanidhi. Ever since this Act 48 of 2008 was announced, the violence against Health Care Personal has drastically come down in Tamil Nadu. We also appreciate the recent announcement of severe & stringent action against the persons attacking the covid workers by our Health Minister of Tamil Nadu, he said while stressing on the local law that states have. Currently 21 states have local law.
But a lot of acts of violence are happening at regular intervals in various states of India. Even Women are nor spared. To insist the Central Govt to exact a similar act as in Tamil Nadu with more stringent clauses as a National Act, IMA, New Delhi has declared 18th June 2021 as “National Protest Day” with the Slogan “Save the Saviors”, he added.
During the protest No Medical Services will be withdrawn & uninterrupted patient care will be continued following covid lockdown protocols, said the doctors participating. Sources say they also planned to meet the Public Representatives Collectors to submit the memorandum. “We also request our State Govt to escalate the beneficial effect of Act 48 of 2008 to Central Govt thrusting to come out with a Central Act. IMA Tamil Nadu has represented to our Hon’ble Chief Minister about this on 14.06.2021”. Medical Students Network & Junior Doctors Network, Paramedical Association etc also took part in the protest.