In response to a Right to Information (RTI) query filed by Dr. KV Babu, a Kannur-based ophthalmologist, the Union Health Ministry stated that they are not working on a draft legislation bill that addresses the issue of violence against healthcare practitioners.

The RTI query enquired about the government’s plans to pursue the draft legislation "The Healthcare Service Personnel and Clinical Establishments (prohibition of violence and damage to property) Bill, 2019. In response, the ministry replied that they have decided not to pursue the legislation.

Dr. Babu had first filed the RTI on July 5, to which he received the same reply. On July 27, he filed another RTI following reports that the health ministry was mulling the legislation after the suicide of Dr. Archana Sharma, who was booked in an alleged medical negligence case.

He noted that when the government was in dire need during the pandemic when people were attacking doctors and other medical practitioners, the government introduced the amendment. So why is it now backtracking from its promise?

He added that the proposal was shelved after the central government reasoned that no separate law was needed, but in April 2020, the government came up with an amendment to the Epidemic Act (Amendment) Bill, 2020 that included protections for healthcare personnel combatting epidemic diseases.