Inter-Ministerial Committee to examine a Central legislation against assault on Doctors

Issue also being raised in the Lok Sabha by 10 MPs

Dr KK Aggarwal

Earlier this month, on 5^th July, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare constituted an inter-ministerial committee to examine the pros and cons of bringing out a Central Legislation against assault on doctors on duty and clinical establishments.

The committee comprises of the following:

1.	Joint secretary (MS division), MoHFW	Chairperson
2.	Dr Anil Mankatala, DDG (P), Dte.GHS	Member
3.	Representative, Ministry of Home Affairs	Member
4.	Representative, Department of Legal Affairs	Member
5.	Representative, MCI, MoHFW	Member
6.	Medical Superintendent, AIIMS, New Delhi	Member
7.	Medical Superintendent, Dr RML Hospital	Member
8.	President/Secretary, Indian Medical Association	Member
9.	Principal Secretary (Health) in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu	Member
10.	Representative, FORDA	Member

Mr DD Maheshwari, Deputy Secretary to the Government of India called for the first meeting of the inter-ministerial committee to be held at Nirman Bhawan on 10^th July, vide a notice No. Z.28013/22/2019-MS.

The Lok Sabha also admitted Unstarred Question No. 3253 for 12.07.2019 regarding "Assaults on Doctors" raised by 10 MPs: Shri Prasun Banerjee; Shri Khagen Murmu; Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab; Shri Vinod Kumar Sonkar; Shri Syed Imtiaz Jaleel; Shri Rahul Ramesh Shewale; Dr. Sukanta Majumdar; Shri BB Patil; Shri Asaduddin Owaisi; Shri Raja Amareshwara Naik.

Will the Minister of Health and Family Welfare be pleased to state:

a)            whether assaults on doctors and hospital staff have been reported in various Government hospitals across the country including recent incidents in West Bengal;

b)            if so, the details of such cases reported during the last three years, hospital and State/UT-wise;

c)             whether  Indian Medical Association (TMA) has directed all its States the members to stage protests against such attack on doctors across the country which led to the shutdown of OPD, Emergency services which resulted into death of patients, if so, the details thereof;

d)            whether the Government has implemented the recommendations of the Inter-Ministerial Committee constituted in the  Ministry to review various issues including issue of assault on doctors, if so, the derails thereof;

e)            whether there is urgent need for a specific legislation to protect doctors/health professionals; and

f)             if so, the preventive steps taken/ being taken by the Government in this regard

Dr KK Aggarwal

Padma Shri Awardee

President Elect Confederation of Medical Associations in Asia and Oceania   (CMAAO)

Group Editor-in-Chief IJCP Publications

President Heart Care Foundation of India

Past National President IMA