The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in scenes of violence against doctors, as angered families take out their rage on the country’s beleaguered medicos. Prefacing a BBC News report is the story of Dr Seuj Kumar Senapati who bluntly expresses his fears that he would be killed. As the report summarises, Dr Senapati attended a patient […]
doctors
Allowing Ayurvedic practitioners to perform surgery sparks further controversy
The proposal to permit Ayurvedic practitioners to perform surgery continues to garner controversy. The Resident Doctors’ Association at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has spoken out against the move and called for it to be scrapped. The proposal to allow Ayurvedic practitioners runs the risk of “[encouraging] quackery” and “[poses a] hazardous […]
Corona warriors: How much do we really appreciate them?
The pandemic has seen an outpouring of support for India’s frontline health workers – its ‘corona warriors’. This is arguably best-exemplified by March’s Janata Curfew, which saw Indians self-quarantining across the nation ringing bells and applauding in praise of healthcare staff. But how much does India truly appreciate its ‘corona warriors’? There is no shortage […]
Legislating to tackle violence against doctors
Violence against doctors is not a new phenomenon in India. However, the situation has garnered heightened awareness amidst the coronavirus pandemic. Amendments have been made to legislation dating back to the colonial era in an effort to tackle the issue. Last month, the Cabinet Secretary announced that all states and union territories should invoke provisions […]
Violence against healthcare workers in Karnataka crosshairs
The Karnataka state government intends to enact legislation penalising those who commit violence against healthcare workers. The state cabinet made the decision earlier this week against a backdrop of reports of healthcare workers countrywide being subjected to harassment, abuse, and physical attacks amidst the coronavirus pandemic and the national lockdown. In one highly-publicised incident, healthcare […]
PPE kits dispatched to hospitals, more ordered
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has announced provisions for the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) kits to the nation’s healthcare providers amidst the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. Already, 60,000 PPE kits have been procured by the Union Health Ministry for hospitals so healthcare workers can safeguard themselves against COVID-19. 3.34 lakh PPEs […]
Health workers face a massive struggle
During the Janata Curfew, throngs of Indians broke out in applause and other displays of gratitude in a mass felicitation of the country’s health workers manning the front line of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country. However, for many doctors, nurses, and other healthcare personnel, the reality of the pandemic is grim. Numerous reports have […]
A short film to raise awareness of violence against doctors
In a bid to raise awareness of violence against doctors, a short film will be made public outlining the contours of the relationship between the public and the medical community. We Are Not Gods was screened over the weekend. It addresses issues inherent to the doctor-patient relationship, as well as the impacts of violence against […]
Private practice ban in Jammu and Kashmir?
Doctors in the employ of government hospitals could face a ban on private practice in Jammu and Kashmir in a bid to strengthen health infrastructure in the union territory. Reports suggest that government doctors in Jammu and Kashmir opt to treat their patients in privately run facilities and are absent from their posts in government […]
IMA turns to Modi on violence against doctors
The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has turned to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for help in advancing legislation punishing violence against the medical fraternity. The Health and Services Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of Violence and Damage of Property) Bill was proposed by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare earlier this year. The Bill […]