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HomeIndiaDoctors are 'soft targets', says IMA, demands 3-layered airport-like security in hospitals

Doctors are ‘soft targets’, says IMA, demands 3-layered airport-like security in hospitals

The IMA's plea comes a day after relatives of a 55-year-old Covid-19 patient in Karnataka's Belagavi set on fire an ambulance, alleging medical negligence.

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New Delhi: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Thursday demanded airport-like three-layered security in hospitals, a day after an ambulance was set on fire by relatives of a Covid-19 victim in Karnataka’s Belagavi (or Belgaum) district.

The medical body, in a statement, said, “Violence in Civil Hospital Belgaum following the death of a Covid patient and torching of government ambulance is a new low in our culture. When doctors and the authorities are fighting the epidemic this appears to be an aberration.

“Hospital violence has been condoned in our society as a natural phenomenon borne out of sudden bereavement. The tolerance of such an act is leading to a culture heralding dark ages. It defies logic to understand a mind setting fire to an ambulance.”

The IMA also said hospitals were “victims” of false perceptions and doctors often the “soft targets” of violence.

“We require a comprehensive solution of a powerful deterrent central law, hospitals to be declared as safe zones and provided with three-layered security like airports and solid investment in health with public infrastructure and human resources as the focus,” the top medical body said.


Also read: India’s healthcare workers are the most vulnerable, but there is no framework for their health


What led to Belagavi violence

Angered over the death of a 55-year-old man from Covid-19, his relatives, who alleged medical negligence, set an ambulance on fire at the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences and Hospital (BIMS) Wednesday night.

The coronavirus patient was admitted to BIMS, a dedicated Covid-19 facility, on 19 July.

Police personnel and fire department officials had rushed to the spot but the ambulance was completely destroyed by the time they arrived. There was no one in the vehicle when it was set on fire.

An outraged mob of around 30-40 people also pelted stones at the hospital building and police vehicles. According to the preliminary investigation, the mob tried to attack  hospital staff too. A constable was injured in the incident. Three persons have been detained in the incident so far.

On Thursday, hospital staff at the BIMS staged a protest demanding security but withdrew their agitation later in the day after Deputy Commissioner M.G. Hiremath assured them of adequate protection.


Also read: Non-payment of salary to healthcare workers will now be an offence, Centre tells SC


 

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