Doctors march for protection

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 17

Hundreds of doctors and members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Indian Dental Association (IDA), National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) and Medical Students Network responded to the national bandh call of the IMA in protest against the attacks on two doctors in Kolkata.

They gathered at Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall. A convention and protests were marked by the presence of some senior doctors of the city, who are rarely seen during bandhs or protests.

After holding a meeting at the hall, the doctors, bearing black flags, bands and ribbons then proceeded for a protest march to BMC Chowk.

A delegation of 15 doctors, including district IMA president Dr Harish Bhardwaj, later submitted a memorandum to the Commissioner of Police, demanding strict implementation of the Hospital Protection Act passed in the state in 2008.

With the 1,500-member Jalandhar unit being the largest IMA unit in the state, doctors demanded bringing of a Central act for the protection of medical service persons and Medical Service Institutions (prevention of violence and damage or loss of property) Act.

They also demanded rigorous imprisonment for those threatening, abusing or assaulting doctors, for three to seven years under various provisions of the IPC.

Dr Navjot Dahyiya, state president of the IMA, said, “There are a total of 10,000 members of the IMA in Punjab and Jalandhar is the largest unit with 1,500 members. We call for a central legislation like in other countries, which would make any person attacking a doctor, liable to serious action and imprisonment. If the government doesn’t act, we would be forced to suspend services further in future.”

Dr Vijay Mahajan said, “Our average life span is lowest among all professionals in the country. It is 59.8 years, whereas for normal human being, it is 65 years. We are all dying a slow death due to the stress we are facing. Highest numbers of suicides and divorces are among doctors. The recent incidents call for strict legislation at the central level to alleviate the burden the community bears.”

Tanveer, an intern at the Civil Hospital, said, “Those attacked in Kolkata were interns and it is extremely demoralising for us. The Medical Students Network in India was formed this year and has 1,000 members in six medical colleges out of eight in the state. A protest was observed by us two days ago at six medical colleges — two in Amritsar, one in Jalandhar, one each in Ludhiana, Patiala and Bathinda. We told patients about the violence in West Bengal. We will be supporting the IMA call in future as well.”