The Indian Medical Association, New Delhi, with its Karnataka branch and the Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors (KARD) have condemned the Wednesday’s violence which had happened at the Civil Hospital in Belagavi. An ambulance was set on fire after a COVID-19 patient died.

They have also criticized the incident that happened at KC General Hospital in Bengaluru as the doctors were attacked by a patient’s attendants.IMA-Karnataka said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa that the recent attacks on doctors and hospitals is disturbing. Even though strict ordinance on Epidemic Diseases Act was publicized by your esteemed government, none of the above cases of violence on doctors, have been recorded in FIRs.

The IMA mentionedabout four incidents of violence in Karnataka in the past 25 days. The other two incidents were of a treating doctor who was manhandled and beaten and the ambulance driver who was trying to protect the doctor was also critically hurt in Yelahanka. The other incident was of a government surgeon who was threatened, mentally harassed, humiliated with verbal abuse in Moodigere, Chikkamagaluru.

Dr Srinivas, state secretary, IMA Karnataka said that doctors are working day and night since the last 4-5 months due to the coronavirus pandemic and such violence acts can demotivate all healthcare workers.In a press release, the KARD said that to condemn such violence acts on healthcare workers and to raise other issues also, they had called for a symbolic nation-wide protest on 24th July 24 where medical staff will sport black bands.

They demanded arrest and legal action against offenders who are involved in Belagavi incidents and at KC General Hospital. Also, they condemned outrages on doctors in Bidar and demanded strict action. The other demands are of ensuring safety protocols in all hospitals and COVID Care Centres, fast release of funds towards hiked stipend, allowancesfor COVID duty and night duty, guaranteeing adequate supply of N95 masks, face shields, surgical gowns in all non-COVID working areas with good quality PPEs for all COVID working areas, etc.

The IMA, Delhi, in a statement issued called for a complete solution with a powerful preventive central law. The statement was issued by Dr Rajan Sharma, national president and Dr R V Asokan, honorary secretary general. They said that hospitals should be declared as safe zones. They should be provided with three-layered security, solid security in healthcare with public infrastructure and human resources.

Source: The New Indian Express