With the approval of the Arunachal Pradesh Protection of Medical Service Personnel & Medical Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss of Property) Bill, 2019 by the state cabinet on Friday, a long standing demand of the medical fraternity of the state is perhaps going to be fulfilled. State unit of Indian Medical Association, welcoming the step has termed it ‘historic’ that will be a turning point in doctor-patient relationship and address the burning issue of healthcare violence more appropriately. Truly, a law of this kind for saving the medical professionals was very necessary keeping in view of the rising graph of violence against them all over the country.

Assaults on doctors in the country is nothing new and the rising frequency of such cases has given birth to a strange apathy in society when there is hardly any intense feeling of outrage and condemnation. Being at the receiving end of this growing menace, a feeling of frustration and insecurity has overwhelmed the profession and the situation has reached such a level that hospital violence has surpassed all other factors to emerge as the worst form of workplace violence in India. This is no doubt an undesirable departure from the well-established tradition when doctors have been treated with respect by the society and considered as ‘saviours’. Along with this, it can’t also be denied that there are ‘black sheep’ in the profession, just like in any other profession to whom earning money always get priority over the core value of serving humanity. This has altogether added fuel to the tendency of terming the entire medical fraternity as untrustworthy, which is nothing such in reality.

 

But the recent Kolkata incident that sent ripples all over the country touching Arunachal too, has compelled all stakeholders to have a fresh look for getting out of this jinx. There is now a staggering demand for strengthening the existing laws of medical protection  operative currently in at least 19 states by making the punishment provisions of the offenders more stricter and implementation procedures more vigorous. And ironically, since these unwanted incidents are occurring in states already armed with protective laws, it is certain that loopholes exist and need immediate rectification.

Arunachal version of the law, which is undoubtedly a practical need of the hour will be providing a legal shield which the medical practitioners deserve and help them serve people better with a more free mind. But for making way to a desirably conducive atmosphere, there must be an exercise of strengthening of trust, which is only possible if there are equal reciprocations by both the medical fraternity and society as a whole.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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