Hundreds of doctors today staged a protest here against rising incidents of attack on medical professionals in hospitals and clinics by relatives and friends of patients in Karnataka.
Representatives of the Private Hospital and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA), doctors, nursing staff and para-medical staff demanded effective implementation of the Karnataka Prohibition of Violence Against Medicare Service Personnel and Damage to Property in Medicare Service Institutions Act, 2009.
"Though the Act, which is aimed at ensuring safety of medical professionals, came into force in 2009, the attacks against the medical staff and damage to medical equipment in the hospitals by relatives of patients have gone up," Dr Nagendra S C, President, PHANA, said.
Government should ensure that the Act was implemented effectively and the perpetrators booked, he said.
Dr C Jayanna, Vice-President, PHANA, said a spate of incidents had created a fear psychosis among doctors in the private sector. Government should demonstrate its commitment towards the safety of medical professionals, he said.
Karnataka Home Minister K J George met the protesting doctors and assured them safety.
More than 4,000 doctors and medical staff took part in the protest. They submitted a memorandum to the state government seeking better protection.
Indian Medical Association (Karnataka Branch), Karnataka Government Medical Officers' Association, Karnataka Private Hospitals Forum, Association of Health Providers India and Association of Medical Consultants, besides other organisations, took part in the protest.
