19 august 2024 : The government of Punjab has expressed its support for the demand from medical professionals to classify any attack or assault on them as a non-bailable offense, carrying a minimum prison sentence of six years. This announcement precedes a scheduled meeting between the Punjab Health Minister and representatives from the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Doctors’ Association and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday, where the focus will be on enhancing the safety of healthcare workers.
Dr. Balbir Singh, the Punjab Minister of Health, Family Welfare, and Medical Education, reiterated the government’s dedication to safeguarding medical professionals within the state. In an interview with The Tribune, he stated, “We will engage with the Central Government to advocate for stringent measures against any form of violence directed at doctors.”
Furthermore, Dr. Balbir Singh indicated his intention to raise this matter with both the Prime Minister and the Union Health Minister, urging them to organize a meeting of Health Ministers from all states to deliberate on and implement more rigorous protections for medical professionals. He emphasized the importance of enforcing the resolution passed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in 2019, which called for legislation to classify assaults on medical professionals as non-bailable offenses with a minimum six-year prison term.
The Health Minister also announced plans to convene with the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Doctors’ Association and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday to explore measures aimed at ensuring the safety of healthcare workers. He affirmed, “The Punjab Government is resolute in its commitment to establish comprehensive security protocols to avert any future incidents involving healthcare personnel.”
During a visit to Government Rajindra Hospital, the Health Minister engaged with physicians participating in a nationwide protest triggered by the tragic rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor from a medical college in Kolkata. The Health Minister conveyed his condolences for the victim and demonstrated his support for the medical community by symbolically drawing blood from his finger and applying it to his apron.
Dr. Balbir Singh, the Health Minister, advocated for stringent penalties for those guilty of such heinous acts. He proposed that immediate and severe measures, including the death penalty, should be enforced against the perpetrators, asserting that this would convey a powerful message throughout the country. He reassured medical students, doctors, and paramedics in the state that their safety is a paramount concern for the government.
The Health Minister underscored the necessity of creating a healthcare environment free from fear, enabling doctors to provide care to patients with assurance. In light of the tragic events in Kolkata, Dr. Balbir Singh expressed his heartfelt sympathy for the family of the victim.