Vardhan supports demand for a central law to check violence against health care workers

In the wake of country-wide protests by doctors after attack on two of their colleagues in Kolkata, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday supported the medical fraternity's demand for a central law to check violence against health care workers in hospitals and said such crimes should be made non-bailable.

"Heinous repeated attacks on doctors across India esp WBengal have led to this situation.Govt must pass a Law to make any attack on Docs a non-bailable offence with min 12 yr jail. Draconian Clinical Establishment Act that treats Docs as criminals must be withdrawn (sic)," Vardhan tweeted.

His tweet came hours after the Indian Medical Association launched a four-day nationwide protest from Friday and wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah demanding enactment of a central law to check violence against health care workers in hospitals.

Reacting to Vardhan's remarks, the IMA thanked the central government for responding positively to its demand.

"IMA wholeheartedly thanks the Prime Minister of India and the central government and welcomes the decision on behalf of the medical fraternity of India," it said in a statement.

Condemning any form of violence especially against medical professionals in the country, the apex body of doctors said its protest will continue on Saturday and Sunday as well, which will include wearing black badges, dharnas and peace marches, and called for a strike on June 17 with withdrawal of non-essential health services.

In a letter to Shah, the IMA requested him "to bring a central legislation in the form of special law against violence on doctors and health care establishments".

"Any form of violence against medical profession and facilities will be counterproductive, demoralise health providers, thus taking away the confidence and courage of medical profession especially in critical situations," it said