‘Violence against doctors will attract penalty’

In view of the rising attacks on doctors across the country, members of the Indian Medical Association here have sought permission from the police to erect banners highlighting penal action that would follow if people were to attack doctors.

In fact, members of IMA’s Nalgonda unit who approached Superintendent of Police Vikramjit Duggal on Friday, have already erected some banners highlighting guidelines of Act No-11 enacted in 2008 by the Andhra Pradesh government which prohibit violence against doctors and supporting staff and damage to equipment at all hospitals in Nalgonda.

IMA’s Nalgonda president A.V. Srinivas Rao said those guilty of such violence could be imprisoned for up to three years and were also eligible for a fine of up to Rs.50,000.

If the kin of a patient damages hospital property, they were liable to pay double the cost of the property they damaged, Dr. Srinivas Rao said. However, patients can lodge complaints against negligent doctors through the District Medical and Health Office and could also move courts, he added.

Senior IMA member K. Jayaprakash Reddy thanked Mr.Duggal for supporting them in the endeavour. IMA honorary secretary Uday Singh and vice-president P.V.N. Murthy were present.