He was a suspended school teacher who had been attacked by members of his family and taken to the Kollam hospital by the police. He was apparently intoxicated at the time.
Source: The Quint
Unfortunately, there are an increasing number of incidences of verbal and physical abuse, as well as assaults on carers, usually committed by patients’ visitors due to perceived ineptitude. According to an IMA research, 75% of doctors experience abuse or violence. Kerala recorded 137 assaults on physicians in 2022 alone.
The Kerala High Court had ordered that a FIR be filed within an hour of such an incident after taking note of this with concern in December. The High Court emphasised in March of this year that the state government should use the media to inform the public that those who commit such acts of violence will face harsh punishment.
The HC has now declared that security should also be given to medical interns, house surgeons, and PG students in light of the murder of Dr. Das.The police were also criticised by the court for failing to foresee and stop the attack on Dr. Das.
Source: The Indian Express
The IMA’s Kerala chapter has bemoaned the fact that, despite the 2012 legislation that forbids violence against healthcare workers and makes violations punishable by jail for up to three years, very few people have been found guilty thus far, highlighting the absence of deterrent action.
The state administration is eager to toughen the law since it is receiving criticism for allowing the problem to get worse. To provide secure and stress-free healthcare environments, the procedure must be accelerated. The patients would subsequently receive the greatest treatment possible.
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