Jharkhand: Protest against Medical Protection Bill after Health Minister clears final draft

Besides JSASM, a few independent health activists also stood up against the Bill, claiming it is intended to safeguard the interest of private hospitals more than the welfare of doctors and common people.

This came after Health Minister Gupta gave an approval to the final draft of the Medical Protection Bill on Saturday and also informed that it will be tabled during the monsoon session of the state assembly scheduled from September 3 to September 9. Officials in his ministry pointed out that the Bill has been a long pending demand of the state chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA). They also added that it will certainly take care of the rights of patients along with assuring the safety of the doctors.

"We're concerned about the safety of doctors, health workers. They have done a tremendous job during COVID 19. We are committed to providing them a secure environment" Health Minister Banna Gupta as quoted saying by ANI.

However, JSASM Morcha officer-bearer Bhuvneshwar Kewat told The Telegraph, "We strongly oppose this Bill and have decided to fight against it tooth and nail. We will burn copies of the draft bill on August 23 at Albert Ekka Chowk at 3pm. It is evident the state government is inclined towards securing the interests of private players/hospitals more than patients."

Another official of the morcha, Nadeem Khan pointed out, it is high time that the government should concentrate on working towards a patients' protection bill. "Why do we want a medical protection Bill in the first place? There are already several laws under different sections of IPC and other Acts which safeguard any entity and persons associated with it," he said.

Activist Atul Gera, also supported him and posted on social media, " No problem in this @BannaGupta76 ji. Will you also bring Patient Protection Bill? Do you know how patients have become victims of the money minded health system @HemantSorenJMM ji. Are we safeguarding the patients and their rights? @mansukhmandviya @roysaryu @malini_aisola."

As per a recent media report by Jagran, during the previous government, this bill was placed in the assembly, but after the debate on it, it was sent to the Select Committee. Later, along with the report of the Select Committee, it was sent to the Assembly Secretariat in July 2018 itself for placing it in the House.

The Select Committee of the Assembly had recommended diluting the provision of punishment in the Bill. It was also recommended to take action under the provisions of Rule 41A of the Code of Criminal Procedure by removing non-bailable offenses for assaulting doctors and medical workers and causing damage to the property of medical institutions. If the recommendation of the Select Committee is implemented, written notice shall be given to the accused before his arrest.

The Select Committee had also recommended the removal of the word " double" from the provision so that on conviction of the charge, the guilty persons will not have to pay double the amount of the property damaged. Due to this, only the property damaged will have to be compensated. At the same time, if convicted, the provision of three years' imprisonment was recommended to be reduced to 18 months. However, the provision of a fine of Rs 50,000 was retained in this.

However, it is not yet known whether or not the recommendation of the Select Committee has been included in the draft Medical Protection Bill, reports the daily.