Attacks on Doctors: A Scar to the Indian Society
- Dindima
- Jun 8, 2021
- 6 min read
DOCTORS are GOD. A Human God
“VAIDYO NARAYANO HARIHI”. The doctor or the healer is the God (Narayana) to humankind. We live in a country where its rich culture has always given a special place to this person who heals and grants life to the diseased. But the recent series of events has literally choked the morale of the society where those Lifesavers are often harassed, attacked, assaulted for the results which were not even in their hands.
These are the tough times in the lives of every Indian, where people are dying due to the COVID-19 wave. The fear has engulfed the society and no one is daring enough to come out of their home, yet these HUMANS are out there on their Field, with no single thought on their safety, fighting the Virus on our behalf. Doctors, at the risk of their lives and family, are toiling day and night just to ensure the battle against humanity is won by decreasing the fatality. Post-Grads and other necessary staff have also jumped into the scene to fill the scarcity created. And what do they get in return? Assaults, attacks. Sometimes it feels that humanity and its rich culture have lost their value. And their sacrifices are overlooked.
WHY INHUMANE?
A doctor in a government hospital in Madhya Pradesh had to resign after some leaders allegedly yelled at him following the death of a Covid patient by questioning his duty. The patient was already on a death bed with a low oxygen count and in such a critical situation, only miracles could save the patient. And he is a DOCTOR, a human and not God to create a miracle.
The above incident was just verbal. Society went further crueler. There were many reports on assaults on doctors who were treating COVID-19 patients in India. These mobs didn’t even stop to think once in Doctor’s shoes. Raged by deaths and impatience, they went on brutal against these FRONT LINE WORKFORCE.
1. ASSAM:
Dr. Seuj Kumar Senapati was kicked and thrashed with brooms and utensils by the mob at the Udali Covid care center in Hojai district in Assam over the death of a covid patient. The doctor had major wounds.
A week after this another doctor was assaulted at his clinic by a youth congress member as he had to wait for a long time at the clinic when the clinic was crowded. An FIR was lodged by the doctor in Darrang District.
Another such incident has come to light from the state's Hailskandi in which a government doctor on duty at the S K Roy Civil Hospital was assaulted.
2. UTTAR PRADESH
Relatives and family members of a patient suffering from Septicemia ransacked Lotus Hospital in Agra after rumors of his death. They even assaulted hospital staff and damaged hospital property. A nurse was severely injured and fell on the floor unconscious as she could not protect herself from the brutal attack.
3. KARNATAKA
A doctor named Dr. Deepak, 50, was attacked on Monday after the death of his six-year-old dengue patient by four people. The six-year-old boy, who was being treated for dengue fever, was transferred to Shivamogga Hospital after suffering complications.
A female doctor on duty at the hospital in Ballari was attacked by kin of a Covid-19 patient who died due to complications.
A group of people assaulted Dr. Jayaprakash at a private hospital on May 21 over an issue related to the treatment of a patient. A case was registered at the Kadri Police Station, Mangalore.
These inhumane actions of the people really question the integrity and morale of our society. These are just a few numbers of the attacks that went registered. There is a large number of cases out there that are ignored by the Doctors as they think duty is a priority.
WHERE IS THE ACTION?
Citing that 12 cases of assault against doctors in the past 8-10 months, KARD (Karnataka Association Of Resident Doctors) sought the govt to set up a legal cell to follow through with FIRs filed against the attackers. They requested Chief Minister to take serious action. The board also told the govt that these were just a known number of assaults, but the truth is the doctors are being assaulted every day and these numbers often go unnoticed.
Speaking of such incidents, there was a protest held in Karnataka Institute of Medical Science at Hubballi by doctors, post-grad students, resident doctors. The reason was, one of the State media houses broadcasted a one-sided story regarding the institute which was misleading and unverified. A sting operation was made without verifying the facts, used foul language against reputed doctors, and tarnished the image of the doctors working in the pandemic without caring for their lives.
The media used this incident as food for their TRP, without verifying the facts. This really hits the mental health of such workers who are fighting for us. They are mentally cuffed. This pandemic has shown us that you have to have both Mental and Physical strength to fight against pandemic. But how will a doctor contribute effectively when he is mentally smacked down?
WHY IS IT HAPPENING?
So, why all these behaviors? Why do people act so carelessly over these health care workers? The most obvious reason is that there is no system in place to protect these people. And in a country where people don’t care even when there is a law against, law lacked sectors get targeted very badly.
From the lessons learned from the previous year on Pandemic, the government brought Epidemic Disease Amendment Bill in 2020 overriding the 123-year-old Epidemic Disease Act. But are citizens aware of these? Are they educated about the act enough to know what are the laws?. Well after such reports of attack one can certainly presume, NO.
BILL
The Epidemic Disease Amendment Bill 2020, adds protection of health care workers combating epidemic disease and the power of central government to control the spread of the disease.
Under the Bill, an ‘act of violence’ includes any of the following acts committed against a healthcare service personnel:
Harassment impacting living or working conditions
Harm, injury, hurt, or danger to life
Obstruction in the discharge of duties
Loss or damage to the property or documents of the healthcare service personnel.
This means,
Attack on health care workers fighting an epidemic (COVID-19) will be a non-bailable offense.
The attacker can go to jail (7 years) along with the penalty for the damage
Property damage (vandalism) can attract a jail sentence of 3 months to 5 years and can max. Rs.2.0 Lakh penalty can be levied.
WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE ?
Look at the figures. They are heavy for any common man. Understanding and acting likewise shall be beneficial to the system and the person. But is it all that is required? The answer is NO. India needs to take certain strict action to secure the most vulnerable system of our society. The govt must focus on,
Creating a centrally monitored act like the “National Public Health Act” that has been neglected for many years.
Like how the army zones are provided special provisions, the health system and its working bodies need to be categorized and provided necessary safety.
Encourage citizens to pursue medical streamlined courses to create enough manpower to accommodate the nation’s population.
Develop infrastructures and equipment at the hospitals necessary to combat against possible epidemics in the future
Encourage research and analysis centers to counter early outbreaks, highly equipped labs to test and formulate vaccines at a higher pace.
There can be many more things to add, but these turn out to be more essential in these hours.
HOW HARD IT IS TO BE A HERO...
People are not born heroes or villains; they’re created by the people around them. These people are heroes without capes. These are healthcare workers are not soldiers, they are warriors – a blue warrior. They stand by our side when the whole nation falls sick. They bring smiles to the hearts of our loved ones. There are several instances that you have come across on social media where a COVID CARE center suddenly turns into a Singing audition or musical night with a dance. These people, do it just to make your morale against COVID fight strong. TheY water out in their suit just to stop water in eyes of your family. They have been fighting over time, just to make sure you cure fast and enjoy the rest of life with your loved ones. They sacrificed their sleep, love so that you can retrieve them.
Even after all these unfortunate events, they still show up at the monitors of the ICU beds, with a smile. They face hatred but still wake up every day thinking that someone’s mother, father, brother, or sister is in pain and gets ready to treat them. Yes, they are humans. Humans with kindness in heart, skill in the hands, and trust in their eyes on which the whole world can rely on.
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