Will revisit the issue of framing central law to protect doctors: Union health minister

Amid protests by the medical fraternity across the country over violence against doctors in hospitals, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Monday said the government will "revisit" the issue of drafting a central law regarding the safety of medicos at healthcare facilities.

Vardhan said he has already written to all states requesting chief ministers to consider enacting specific legislation for protecting doctors and medical professionals from any form of violence, along with suggesting a model law proposed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

"We will revisit this problem and see if we can do something at the central level about drafting any such law. It was visited earlier by our law people," he told reporters outside parliament.

The Union minister further said this is not a Centre versus state issue, while stressing that the safety of doctors was not debatable.

"Doctors should not be beaten by anybody in the premises of the hospital or outside and there is no difference of opinion on this," he said.

Asked if any proposal on drafting a cental law in this regard can come up in this session of parliament, Vardhan said, "This is not something that can be made overnight. It will obviously require time to study. I have to get old records. This matter had come up in 2017 also and deliberations had taken place."
"So, for me to say something that I can get something done within a few days will be a tall claim, but our intentions are right and our aim is that such incidents should never be repeated in this country."