The vandalization of the office chambers of the medical official at general hospital, Aalo by a group of people for not providing an ambulance to pick up a deceased has once again brought to the fore, the vulnerability of health institutions and health providers.

Healthcare providers are extremely vulnerable to physical assaults along the line of duty from kin of patients. Over 75% of doctors across the country are reported to have faced at least some form of violence, estimates by the Indian Medical Association shows. 

Assaults on doctors and medical staffers have been reported quite routinely, the most recent is the physical assault and abuse on a Medical Officer on night duty at the prestigious Rama Krishna Mission Hospital in Itanagar on December 2014 following which the RKMH Doctors Association had shutdown medical services including emergency. Corroborating the above findings, the RKMH doctors’ body also said that most of its fraternity members are subjected to such behaviour on routine basis despite discharging their duties with dedication.

In this regard, the central government mulling drafting a central law to ensure protection of the caregivers, taking cognisance of increasing cases of violence against doctors by kin or attendants of patients is a landmark decision. Under the proposed law any act of violence against a doctor, medical professional or hospital authority will come under non-bailable offence. Such a strong law is definitely the need of the hour. While there are laws to safeguard safety among hospital staffers, but in absence of efficient implementation, doctors are often left to face the wrath of unhappy relatives of patients. It goes without saying, that implementation is key.

There is an urgent need for safety mechanisms which will guarantee health professionals not just physical safety but dignity in workplaces.

All said, there is also need for introspection by the doctors and the healthcare providers. As in the Aalo case, the APDA itself clarified that ambulances are meant for lifting patients and pregnant women, so this probably hints to the fact that the general hospital Aalo does not have a hearse van to pick up deceased persons.

Also, cases of assaults were rare among doctors of the previous generation. Those times doctors were much revered and patients used to be grateful of the medical care and were more fatalistic. But at present, there is a trust deficit between doctors and patients. Therefore, it is important to create an ambience where ‘trust’ can flourish again.