Patiala: Will pressurize the Center to take strict action against violence on doctors

Patiala: The Punjab government has supported the doctors’ demand that any kind of attack or ‘assault on medical professionals’ be made a non-bailable offence and punishable with a minimum jail term of six years. The announcement comes a day ahead of the Punjab health minister’s scheduled meeting with the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Doctors Association and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday to discuss steps related to the safety of healthcare professionals. Punjab Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education Minister Dr Balbir Singh today reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure the safety of medical professionals in the state. Speaking to The Tribune, the health minister said, “We will hold talks with the central government for strict action against any kind of violence against doctors.” Dr Balbir Singh said he would take up the issue with the Prime Minister and the Union Health Minister and urged them to “convene a meeting of health ministers of all states” to discuss and implement strict measures for the safety of medical professionals. He said, “The need to implement the resolution passed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in 2019, which advocated for a new law making attacking medical professionals a non-bailable offence and providing for a minimum jail term of six years, will be considered.” The health minister said he will hold a meeting with the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Doctors Association and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday to discuss steps to be taken to ensure the safety of medical professionals.

“The Punjab government is committed to implementing strong security measures to prevent any such tragic incident involving healthcare workers in future,” he said. Later, during a visit to the government Rajindra Hospital, the health minister met doctors who were participating in the nationwide protest following the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor of Kolkata Medical College. The health minister expressed grief for the victim and symbolically joined the protest by drawing blood from his finger and applying it on his apron, indicating his solidarity with the medical community. Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh also called for strict punishment for those responsible for such crimes. He suggested that swift and stringent action, including death penalty, should be taken against those responsible.