To Addressing Assaults on Doctors in India

The increasing number of assaults on healthcare professionals in India has reached alarming levels, reflecting a broader crisis in the healthcare system. This phenomenon not only jeopardizes the safety and well-being of medical professionals but also undermines the quality of care provided to patients. The brutal rape and murder of a young female doctor in Kolkata on August 9, 2024, is a tragic reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by doctors, particularly women, in their workplaces. This incident, among many others, underscores the urgent need for systemic change.

Real Incidents

On 9th May 2020, in Darbhanga Bihar, an on-duty doctor was dragged off his chair and beaten by a police personnel in broad daylight while the doctor was treating patients. Allegedly he had asked the policeman to wear a mask.

On 10th May 2020, Ear of a doctor on duty mercilessly bitten off by patient attendant when the doctor asked the attendant not to enter labour room and maintain social distancing at a Medical College in Behrampur, Odisha.

On 16th May 2020, Dr Sudhakar was treated worse than an animal. He was publicly humiliated, thrashed half-naked on road, with hands tied at back by Andra Pradesh Police at Vizag. He was suspended earlier for raising voice against the shortage of PPEs for Covid Warriors.

On 30 July 2020, at Latur, Maharashtra, a doctor of a superspeciality hospital was repeatedly stabbed and attacked by the son of a COVID patient who passed away in the hospital.

On 7th August, at SMIMS , Gangtok, duty doctor verbally assaulted and threatned by father of a patient 25 week FEMALE gestation born with birth weight of 710 gram born on 06/08/2020. The baby’s father refused any treatment for the baby. When doctor on duty was explaining, the patient’s father got aggressive and assaulted the doctor by aggression and multiple unspeakable abuses and threatened dire consequences. Such matters go unreported usually.

On 31st May 2021, a 50 year old child doctor in Karnataka, INDIA was so brutally assaulted that his scalp has been torn off. Seeing the sight, blood of any human would boil, let alone doctors. This was a well planned and premeditated attack on the doctor when the doctor was cycling back to home from hospital.

On 1st Jun 2021, a young doctor working for past one year at Covid Care Centre at Udali, Assam was brutally assaulted by patient relatives on death of patient. The video of the assault shows the gruesome and brutal way in which the doctor was assaulted by punches, kicks, dragged on the floor, hit with steel vessels on head. Video was so gruesome that Youtube removed it from its site. 24 Culprits have been arrested till 2nd Jun 2021. Dr Senapati has suffered severe Skull fracture.

On 2nd June 2021, One Police Constable of Pune Police and his brother slapped and assaulted doctors in Pune, India and other healthcare workers when they had to wait to know about their patient. Heights of intolerance in the country. Everyone is a VIP in this country and Doctor is a UNIVERSAL PUNCHING BAG.

On 7th Jun 2021, there was another brutal attack on Dr. Shiv Shankar Roy and other health care workers asaulted at Pandua Rural Hospital , Hooghly, West Bengal, INDIA after death of a critical patient despite all efforts. No action taken by the authorities for 3 days. Culprits caught only after relentless pressure by doctor organizations.

On 6th June 2021, family members vandalised an ICU in JNIMS , IMPHAL, MANIPUR, INDIA. After death of a critical patient, the patient relatives destroyed oxygen concentrator and ventilators of the ICU. If your relative was admitted there, would you allow such vandals to hamper care.

On 10th Jun 2021, doctors, including female doctors, were verbally assaulted with obscene language and threatened with dire consequences by patient attenders at SMIMS, Gangtok, SIKKIM. Thanks to Sikkim Administration and Police,Culprits were arrested

The Violence Against Doctors: Assaults on doctors are not isolated incidents but part of a disturbing pattern of violence that has persisted for years. The numerous cases where doctors have been threatened, physically assaulted, and even killed by patients or their relatives. The reasons for these attacks are multifaceted, ranging from dissatisfaction with medical outcomes to frustrations with the healthcare system's limitations. These above cases highlight a pervasive culture of impunity, where perpetrators often face little to no consequences for their actions.

Legal Framework : India's legal system has provisions for addressing violence against healthcare professionals, but these are often inadequate or poorly enforced. The Epidemic Diseases Act was amended in 2020 to include stringent penalties for those who attack healthcare workers, making such offenses non-bailable. However, the implementation of these laws has been inconsistent, and many cases of assault go unpunished. One of the primary demands of the medical community is the introduction of a Central Law specifically designed to protect doctors. Such a law would need to include provisions for immediate filing of FIRs, protection for the victims, and fast-tracking of cases to ensure swift justice. The current lack of a dedicated legal framework leaves doctors vulnerable and demoralized, further exacerbating the problem.

Challenges: The violence against doctors cannot be viewed in isolation; it is symptomatic of deeper issues within the healthcare system and society at large.

1. Inadequate Legal Protection: The existing legal framework is insufficient to protect doctors from violence. Despite the amendments to the Epidemic Diseases Act in 2020, enforcement is inconsistent, and many cases go unpunished, leaving doctors vulnerable to attacks.

2. Overburdened Healthcare System: India’s healthcare infrastructure is overwhelmed, with overcrowded hospitals, a shortage of medical staff, and inadequate resources. This creates a stressful environment where doctors are often blamed for systemic failures.

3. Unrealistic Patient Expectations: There is a widespread belief that doctors can guarantee positive medical outcomes, leading to frustration and anger when these expectations are not met. This misunderstanding often results in violence against healthcare professionals.

4. Lack of Centralized Legal Framework: The absence of a specific Central Law designed to protect healthcare workers leaves doctors exposed. The medical community has been advocating for a law that includes stringent penalties for violence against doctors, but this has yet to be enacted.

5. Delayed Justice: Even when legal action is taken, the process is slow, and many cases of assault on doctors are not resolved promptly. This delay in justice discourages doctors from pursuing legal remedies and contributes to a culture of impunity.

6. Insufficient Security in Healthcare Facilities: Many hospitals and clinics lack adequate security measures to protect doctors. This makes it easier for disgruntled patients or their relatives to access and harm healthcare professionals.

7. Public Mistrust of Healthcare Professionals: There is a growing mistrust of doctors, fueled by sensationalized media reports and misinformation. This mistrust exacerbates tensions between patients and healthcare providers, leading to an increased risk of violence.

8. Psychological Impact on Doctors: The constant threat of violence takes a significant toll on the mental health of doctors. Fear, anxiety, and stress are common among healthcare professionals, affecting their ability to perform their duties effectively.

9. Gender-Based Violence: Female doctors face additional challenges, including gender-based violence and harassment. Incidents like the brutal rape and murder of a female doctor highlight the heightened vulnerabilities of women in the medical profession.

10. Inadequate Public Awareness and Education: There is a lack of public education about the realities of medical practice and the challenges doctors face. This gap in understanding contributes to unrealistic expectations and the resultant violence when those expectations are unmet.

To Addressing the issue of violence against doctors requires a multi-faceted approach. Legal reforms are necessary to ensure that assaults on healthcare professionals are met with appropriate consequences. This includes the passage of a Central Law to protect doctors and the strict enforcement of existing laws. There must be significant improvements in the healthcare infrastructure to reduce the pressure on doctors and improve patient outcomes. This includes increasing the number of medical professionals, improving the availability of essential medicines and equipment, and ensuring that doctors have the resources they need to provide quality care.

Public education campaigns are also crucial in changing societal attitudes towards doctors. The public must understand the limitations of medical science and the challenges faced by healthcare professionals. By fostering a more informed and empathetic society, the incidence of violence against doctors can be reduced.

Conclusion: The violence against doctors in India is a complex issue that requires urgent attention. The tragic incidents documented in this research highlight the need for stronger legal protections, better healthcare infrastructure, and a shift in public attitudes. Only through a comprehensive approach can we ensure the safety and dignity of healthcare professionals and improve the overall quality of healthcare in India.