Is a Law enforcing punishment for violence against Healthcare personnel Enough?

Is a Law enforcing punishment for violence against Healthcare personnel Enough?

In the wake of last week’s murder of a young doctor at a government hospital in Kerala’s Kollam district, the Kerala state government on Wednesday brought out an ordinance that would make punishments for acts of violence against healthcare workers more severe.


But what impact can we expect from this law, and more importantly, is it enough?

❌ I have no doubt that the ammendament of the law to impose stricter punishment is a much needed step. It is practically impossible to provide police/security protection for healthcare personnel all over the country. And so, a strong law with stringent punishment will act as the primary deterrent for such violence.

❓ But the mere passing of the law will not have the desired impact unless it is enforced and utilised approrpiately. Taking the example of Kerala itself, the Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act has been inplace since 2012, and even though over 200 cases had been registered under the Act in the past two years, not a single person had been convicted so far.

❗ Hence the phrase 'Justice delayed in Justice denied'. The ammendment seeks to address this by mandating that the investigation be completed within 60 days of the registering of the FIR. Health Minister, Veena George, said that the trial procedures will also be completed within a stipulated time frame of one year and that the Government, with the consent of the High Court, will designate a court as a special court in every district for trying cases under the 2012 Act.


What can we Healthcare pesonnel do to protect ourselves?

⭕ Well, primarily to make use of such laws. If you or a colleague faces violence at the workplace, report it to the police and register an FIR under similar acts in your State. It cannot reverse violence that has already occured, but will ensure that the appropriate punishment is given and act as a deterrant for similar actions in the future.

⭕ Other states are yet to have such robust laws. It took a doctors unfortunate death and several days of widespread protests in Kerala for the government to Act. Hoping that governments and legislators in other states follow suit before more such incidents occur.

⭕ And Lastly, creating awareness. I dont think others are going to fight our battles for us. So it us upon healthcare personnel accoss the state/country to work together to ensure that healthcare professionals are aware of such provisions in law to safeguard ourselves, and to collectively raise our voices to legislators to bring in such laws in all the states.

#doctors #indiandoctors #medicolegal #medlegal #medicallaw #medicalethics #medicalnegligence #violenceagainstdoctors #doctorsprotest