Hoshiarpur: A delegation of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Hoshiarpur has met Hon'ble Health Minister Punjab, Dr Balbir Singh and presented him with a memorandum highlighting cases of violence along with other problems faced by the medical fraternity.
The team of IMA doctors led by its President, Dr Rajesh Mehtar, has requested the Health Minister to take necessary steps and ensure the safety of the medical professionals.
In the context of the instances of violence against doctors, the minister has given instructions to the SSP to make sure that, in case of such incidents, immediate police protection would be given to the hospital in question and that no doctor would ever be arrested without the approval of the medical board established by the Civil Surgeon in accordance with the Hon. Supreme Court's directions.
He further added that all the SHOs should be made aware of the Protection of Medicare Establishment Act. Moreover, any perpetrators of violence should be booked under this Act as has been done in a case at Nangal, reports Hoshiarpur Social Media.
IMA has informed him that since doctors provide professional services, they should be exempt from the trade licensing requirement that the Municipal Corporation wants to impose on them. Health Minister gave his words that it wouldn't be put into effect.
The delegation received assurances from the honourable minister that he would bring up the issue of the installation of STP with the Punjab Pollution Control Board soon. The delegation consisted of President Dr. Rajesh Mehta, Hony. Secretary Dr. Balwinderjit Singh Saini, Past Presidents of IMA Hoshiarpur Dr. Harish Bassi and Dr. Ashok Gupta, Dr. Ashwani K Juneja, Dr. Sandeep Salaria, Dr. Akshay Juneja, Dr. Pawan Kalia and Dr. Manmeet Singh.
A few days ago the Kerala chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) staged a statewide medical strike from 6 am to 6 pm on Friday, i.e., March 17, 2023, and it has been called in a protest against the delay in arresting the accused involved in attacking a Kozhikode-based senior cardiologist at Fathima Hospital.