Recent Incident at Jammu, involving female junior doctor who was physically assaulted and kicked in the abdomen by an attendant of a patient who had died in the Emergency of Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu on July 16, 2025. The incident sparked outrage among the medical community, leading to a flash strike by resident doctors.
Some of the main reasons for Violence Against Healthcare Professionals are
• Expectations and Free Treatment: High expectations from patients and their attendants regarding treatment outcomes, coupled with demands for free or low-cost treatment, can lead to frustration and violence when these expectations aren’t met.
• Lack of Training in Emergency Medicine: Limited training or experience in handling high-pressure emergency situations can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunications, and potentially violent reactions from patients or their families.
• Lack of Communication: In public healthcare settings, poor patients might not understand what doctors are discussing about their patients during clinical rounds, leading to misunderstandings, mistrust, and potential violence.
• Non-functional Critical Equipment: Failure of critical medical equipment can lead to treatment delays or failures, sparking anger and violence towards healthcare staff.
• Public Doctors Engaged in Private Practice: Perceptions that public doctors are more focused on their private practices might lead to accusations of neglect or lack of care in public facilities.
• Lack of Clarity to Attendants in Rounds: In public healthcare settings, poor communication with patients’ attendants during rounds can lead to misunderstandings and potential violence.
Key Concerns for Doctor Safety
• Violence Against Healthcare Workers: Incidents of violence against doctors, nurses, and other healthcare staff are increasingly reported, often by patients or their attendants.
• Inadequate Security Measures: Many healthcare facilities lack sufficient security personnel, CCTV cameras, and other safety measures.
• Long Working Hours and Stress: Doctors, especially interns and residents, often work long hours (like 36-hour shifts) with limited rest and support.
Impact of Violence on Public Health Doctors
• Low Morale: Violence against doctors leads to low morale among public health doctors.
• Affects Performance: Low morale and fear of violence can affect the performance of healthcare professionals.
• Brain Drain to Private Sector or Abroad: Some of the brightest minds and competent doctors move out of the public sector to the private sector. Some even prefer to move out of the country, thereby strengthening the health delievery care system of foreign country whereas Govt. of India has spent money on the training of the doctor, it is unnecessary burden on Public funds.
Data on Violence Against Healthcare Professionals in India
• According to the Indian Medical Association (IMA), over 75% of doctors in India have faced some form of violence at work.
• 63% of doctors in India fear violence from patients and their families, particularly in high-stress situations like emergency wards and intensive care units.
Measures for Improving Doctor Safety
• Central Protection Act: There’s a push for a Central Protection Act for doctors to ensure uniform safety measures across India.
• Security Enhancements: Installing panic buttons, AI-powered surveillance, and improving lighting in hospitals can enhance safety.
• Zero-Tolerance Policy: Implementing a zero-tolerance policy towards violence against healthcare workers.
• Training and Awareness: Providing conflict resolution training for staff and educating patients on respecting healthcare providers.
Government Initiatives and Responses
• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has directed hospitals to file an FIR within six hours in case of violence against healthcare workers.
• The National Medical Commission emphasizes developing policies for safety in medical colleges.
Prevention of Violence Against Healthcare Professionals and Clinical Establishments Bill, 2022
• Introduction in Parliament: The bill was introduced in Parliament in 2022 to prevent violence against healthcare professionals and protect clinical establishments.
• Key Provisions:
– Definition of Violence: The bill defined violence as any act causing harm, injury, or damage to healthcare professionals or property at clinical establishments.
– Protection for Healthcare Professionals: The bill extended protection to doctors, nurses, paramedics, support staff, medical students, and trainees in public and private healthcare facilities.
– Penalties and Punishments: The bill proposed stringent penalties for those found guilty of committing violence against healthcare workers, including imprisonment ranging from 6 months to 5 years and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh.
– Compensation for Damage: The bill mandated compensation for damage to property in clinical establishments.
• Status of the Bill: Although proposed, this bill was not passed. The government had previously utilized the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020 to address violence against healthcare personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Need for Rethink: Considering the increase in cases of violence against healthcare professionals, a rethink on passing this bill is needed as its provisions can act as a deterrent to prevent violence against doctors and health care professionals.
