Forensic Experts welcome enhanced Jail for Assault on Doctors
Gurjit Singh/ royalpatiala.in/ Patiala
Punjab Governor has written to Chief Minister Amrinder Singh to examine the feasibility of increasing the prison sentence under the law relating to violence against doctors and damage to hospital property from one year to three years.
Forensic Medicine specialists in the state have welcomed this move suggesting amendments in The Punjab Protection of Medical Services Persons and Medicare Services Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage of Property) Act 2008.
According to Dr DS Bhullar, President Punjab Academy of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, a state body of medico legal experts, this is a long pending demand of the state doctors both in private and Government health care institutions and required immediate amendments to make it more deterrent keeping in view the day to day rising incidents of assault on doctors and violence against health care professionals throughout in the country.
The act provides protection to to all doctors, paramedics and medical students working in government and private institutions in the state. It also covers any damage to property but is not stringent as the accused may be jailed from one day to one year under the present act and also the act not being applied properly, said Bhullar.
According to a study by Indian Medical Association, over 75 percent doctors have suffered violence at workplace in the country but no one has the right to take law in hands.
