Maharashtra against assaults on doctors
Protect doctors - but also hold them accountable
The Maharashtra Medical Services Persons and Medical Institutions (Prevention of
Violence & Damages or Loss of Property) Ordinance will include a provision to award
three years' imprisonment for assaulting doctors. The offence would be cognisable and
non-bailable. The proposal also mentions a liability clause, holding the hospital and
medical practitioner responsible if a case of negligence is proved against them.
Doctors were concerned that the announcement of elections and the enforcement of the
model code of conduct would delay the process. However, the Election Commission cleared the
ordinance.
The move was preceded by the mobilisation of doctors led by prominent eye surgeon T P
Lahane, pressing for such an ordinance, which has already been passed by a few other
states.
While doctors are certainly entitled to protection if they are to perform their duties
diligently, there is also a dire need to make hospitals and practitioners more accountable
to the public. The medical profession will have to give more attention to patients'
rights in return for the greater assurance of protection being offered by the law.
Hopefully, the state government will be able to establish a principle which provides
protection to doctors even as it protects patients' interests.
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Neha Madhiwalla
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