Demand for Central Healthcare Protection Act Grows

Healthcare professionals across India are advocating for a Central Healthcare Protection Act to address rising violence against them. In Bhopal, the Govt Autonomous Doctors' Federation is campaigning for unified legislation to replace varied state laws, emphasizing that stringent measures are essential to deter violence and restore confidence among doctors. In Delhi, Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj supported demands from the Federation of Indian Medical Association (FAIMA) for enhanced security at hospitals and proposed a common entrance exam for resident doctors. Meanwhile, Maharashtra's Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has also urged the Union Health Ministry to consider a central law, highlighting the ineffectiveness of existing state laws. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) has reiterated this call, arguing that a central law would standardize protections for doctors nationwide, despite the government's previous reluctance to enact such legislation. This widespread push reflects the urgent need for better safety measures amidst ongoing incidents of violence against healthcare workers.