Attack On Doctors, Health Staff Will Land You In Jail For Seven Years With A Fine Of Rs 5 Lakhs
Amid an increase in the number of attacks on doctors and other medical workers who are the frontline workers during the COVID-19 outbreak, the government has amended the Epidemic Act to provide security for them.?
Union minister Prakash Javadekar said that the government has brought an ordinance to deal with incidents of assault on doctors and medical staff.Under the new violence against healthcare service personnel will be a cognisable and non-bailable offence which will be punishable with imprisonment from 6 months to 7 years and a fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
If any damage is done to the vehicles or clinics of healthcare workers, then a compensation amounting to twice the market value of the damaged property will be recovered from the accused.?
"Health workers who are trying to save the country from this epidemic are unfortunately facing attacks. No incident of violence or harassment, against them, will be tolerated. An ordinance has been brought in, it'll be implemented after President's sanction", Javadekar said.
The development came shortly after the Indian Medical Association (IMA) called off its protest scheduled on April 22 and 23 against the rise in the attacks on the medical staff.?
The IMA called off the protest following an interaction with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday through video conferencing.he Home Minister who lauded their work assured the medical fraternity of their security.?
The IMA in a statement expressed satisfaction stating they are convinced with the assurances. "It is expressed that in this period of global crisis...such protest will send a bad signal of the unity of our country...," said the IMA.
It added that it has decided to withdraw the proposed White alert protest on 22nd and Black Day on 23rd to "maintain unity and integrity of our country".?
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan was also present in the video conferencing with doctors. Later Shah tweeted: "The way our doctors are performing their duties in these testing times is exceptional. I urge every Indian to cooperate with doctors in this fight against COVID-19."?
Sending a strong message against the attackers, Shah added that the safety and dignity of doctors at their workplace are "non-negotiable". "It is our collective responsibility to ensure a conducive atmosphere for them at all times. I have assured doctors that the Modi government is committed to their cause and appealed to reconsider their proposed protest," the Home Minister added.
