HYDERABAD: After the attack on a female intern at Osmania Hospital, many senior doctors have been questioned as to why the case against the accused has been filed under Section 354 of the IPC, which covers outrage on a women’s modesty, and not under provisions of the Medicare Protection Act, which would make it a non-bailable offence.
Dr C.R.K Prasad, the president of Telangana state private hospitals association said, “A special ordinance was released after an incident at Niloufer Hospital. It gives protection to doctors serving in government institutions and private institutions. The case should have been booked under this ordinance. The cases which have been booked are under provisions which make them bailable offences. The ordinance states that the accused should be arrested and questioned.”
Doctors claim that the nature of their work is such that not every patient can be saved. Mob-mentality and incidents of doctors being physically harmed will come to an end if all cases are booked under the Medicare Protection Act.
A superintendent has sought an explanation as to why cases were not filed at the local police station immediately after the incident. Ramesh Reddy, the Director of Medical Education, said, “After deliberation, I have instructed the superintendent to add charges to the existing cases. The accused will be booked under the Medicare Protection Act as well.”
The Act also addresses incidents involving damage to hospital property. In Sunday’s incident, bystanders had begun throwing chairs and destroying the hospital’s property. “When we have an act that is purely for our protection, it should be implemented. Our state was one of the first to introduce this act, and rightly so, because people often react differently when they are in a hospital, due to their emotional state,” said a junior doctor.
Act says
Act Number 11 of 2008:
The Act To Prohibit Violence Against Medicare Service Persons And Damage To Property In Medicare Service Institutions
Medicare service personnel include:
Doctors
Registered nurses
Medical students
Nursing students
Paramedical workers
Punishment
Jail term of up to three years
Fine of up to Rs 50,000
