The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had said that reports of police allegedly entering hospitals in violence-hit areas during agitations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act is very disturbing and such actions are “unacceptable” and demanded that hospitals be declared “safe zones”.

The doctors’ body said hospitals are inviolable and are exempted from violence even in a war zone. Everybody has the right to access medical care.

The IMA said in a statement that the government and its establishment have no right to deny anyone their right of access. Pictures of a policeman violently opening an ICU door by stomping is a clear indication of the new standards. Emphasizing that violence in hospitals is not acceptable, the doctor’s body said that it will stand up for retaining hospitals as safe zones.

It said that there are disturbing reports from areas of protests and resistance that police have entered hospitals and at least in one case the ICU too. This is a new unacceptable behavior in civic life of the nation but not entirely unexpected given the liberty with which violence is layered on doctors and hospitals. The difference this time is that it is the establishment which has lost its limitation.

Source: Financial Express