On Wednesday, representatives of Indian Medical Association (IMA) at a press meet said that five cases of attack against doctors in Pune and almost 57 similar cases in Maharashtra were reported during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The medical body will wear black bands and display placards to sensitise the general public as part of their protest against violence on doctors, on 18th June. Medical services will be functional on this day and will not affect the patients.

IMA doctors demand a strict establishment to address the increasing attacks against doctors and COVID insurance cover for private doctors too.

Dr BL Deshmukh, IMA president, Pune chapter, said that they have demanded that the government should ensure that the wrongdoers are penalised under the Central Hospital and Health Care Professionals Protection Act with Indian Penal Code and Criminal Procedure Code. There should be standardisation and expansion of security in every hospital. Hospitals must be declared as a protected zone and culprits should be punished by fast-track courts.

He further said that all health services will be functioning as their motive is to spread awareness about the problem and pressurise the government for taking action and ensure that medical staffs are safe. President-elect of IMA Pune chapter, Dr Meenakshi Deshpande said that multiple episodes of attack against doctors are reported across the country. The cost of medicines and medical equipment had a gradual increase over time; however, doctors’ fees are still the same throughout the coronavirus pandemic. People should not forget that doctors are trying to save lives and work round the clock.

Secretary, IMA Pune chapter, Dr Sunil Ingale, said that IMA teams are going to visit government hospitals on 18th June.

Dr Avinash Bhondwe, former IMA president, Maharashtra chapter, said that till November 2020, almost 42 doctors died due to the coronavirus in Maharashtra. They met Maharashtra government officials to ensure that their families get the insurance cover of ₹50 lakh. But it was rejected as the scheme covered only government doctors. Subsequently doing regular follow-ups, families of two doctors got the insurance amount from the government. The authorities did not share the details of families of government doctors who received insurance.

Source: Hindustan Times