Doctors from various sectors of Chandigarh observed Friday as a “Black Day” in response to the Indian Medical Association’s (IMA) call for a nationwide protest against the assault on doctors and medical professionals.
The Indian Medical Association (IMA), the country’s apex medical body, had asked all of its state and local branches to hold a protest on Friday, wearing black badges, masks, and ribbons, and running an awareness campaign against violence against healthcare workers.
A protest by over 40 members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Chandigarh, including government and private doctors, was held outside the IMA house in Sector 35. The doctors demanded that the Central Hospital and Healthcare Professionals Protection Act, as well as sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), be implemented.
During the protest, however, health services in hospitals were not disrupted. “We have written to the Prime Minister requesting that this law be implemented. The private health sector, particularly small and medium-sized health establishments, provides 75% of services to citizens and is more vulnerable to violence and attacks. Doctors are increasingly being subjected to mental and psychological assaults by patients and their relatives, according to Dr. Virender Kappal, state president of the IMA Chandigarh.
“Patients and their families attack doctors primarily due to financial burden,” said Dr. RS Sethi, former national vice-president of the IMA. Because of their fear of violence, young doctors are now hesitant to perform emergency procedures. We encourage people to purchase family insurance to avoid unnecessary costs that lead to assaults.”
To show their support for healthcare workers, around 1,300 senior and junior resident doctors from the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) wore black badges and ribbons. “We stand with our country’s doctors. Dr. Uttam Thakur, a member of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), PGIMER, said, “Medical professionals who are saving lives during the pandemic must be saved from the assaults.”
Meanwhile, few doctors were seen wearing black badges to observe protests at the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Sector 16 and the Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32.
