Doctors participate in walkathon to protest over violence against medical fraternity

New Delhi: Doctors involved in critical care in various hospitals across Delhi and Noida participated in a walkathon to protest against incidents of violence against the medical fraternity, according to a statement. 

Organised by the Society Of Critical Care Medicine, Delhi-Noida, the walkathon was flagged off by BJP MP Mahesh Sharma.

This walkathon began from Chilla Sports Complex in Delhi and culminated at Noida Stadium.

The theme of walkathon was "Save The Saviours".

"Recent times have witnessed unabated violence against doctors especially those involved in Critical Care in ICUs. The intensive care specialists feel that they are the soft targets," said the statement.

Slogans like "Do not colour my apron red" and "I do not want to be the next victim" were raised at the event.

"As per available data around 1,600 doctors lost their life in the line of their duty over the two years when the pandemic ravaged India. Despite this nobility in their profession, they have to commonly face the wrath of the public," said Dr Anil Gurnani, chairman of SCCM Delhi-Noida.

The walkathon was attended by around 343 doctors.

Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported that referring to the reports of 'routine' attacks on Healthcare personnel, the Kerala High Court had suggested the Government to consider deploying police presence in hospitals, especially in the most sensitive areas, and later extend it to other hospitals as well. Although the bench observed that Kerala Healthcare Service Act 2012 has provisions for strict penalties for assault against healthcare workers, it opined that the legal provision was not sufficient to stop the assaults.

Therefore, the HC Division bench comprising of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Kauser Edappagath noted, "No doubt, the Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2012 provide for very stringent provisions and punishment. However, as the present case demonstrates, it is not always the best deterrent. We, therefore, have to think about placing hospitals, particularly in remote areas, under police protectional cover, more in the evenings and nights, so that the doctors and nurses can work without apprehension."