On 20th March, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) announced a “non-violent movement”, to be held, where in a march would be taken out from Sabarmati Ashram. Approximately 25,000 members of the IMA from all over the country will participate in the procession, according to the sources.

An official statement from the IMA said on Wednesday that the decision was taken in a meeting held on January 12. Dr Avinash Bhondwe, president of IMA, Maharashtra, stated that the state unit has announced its plan for the event.

Dr Bhondwe said that IMA Maharashtra has 210 branches, located in every major city, town and small taluka across the state, with a total of 43,500 members and they will be contacted personally and sensitized about violence against doctors and hospitals.

He further added that medical students will be made aware of “unfair and draconian” laws by the government. Various social organizations, NGOs, rotary clubs, social workers and cultural associations will also be informed about issues faced by doctors.

Doctors are insisting for legislation to prevent violence against doctors and the healthcare establishment. The bill was to be tabled in the current session of Parliament, but was withdrawn by the Union Home Ministry. Themedical fraternity has expected that a law would be passed with the draft legislation in public domain. It has demanded a comprehensive solution to stop violence. The proposed law is restrictive. Adequate security and declaring hospitals as safe zones are part of the demands. Social elements of violence should also to be addressed.

Also, addressing infrastructure and human resources’ insufficiency in public hospitals, as well as tax-funded schemes to purchase care from private hospitals have to be cited as possible solutions.

Dr Bhondwe said if constitutional resources fail to address the grievance then the profession should be free to launch its own defense at all costs.

Source: The Indian Express