Society, govt should react to attacks on doctors: IMA

Nagpur: The saddest part about attacks on doctors is that there is no reaction either from the society or any statement issued by politicians, condemning such incidents, said Dr YS Deshpande, president of Maharashtra unit of Indian Medical Association (IMA), on Sunday.

With violence against medical staffers on the rise, Deshpande sounded a warning bell, saying, “If the police or government officials do not take a stand against these attacks, it will grow and penetrate the systems like judiciary and education, eventually posing a threat to the persons dedicated to serving the society.”

Speaking at the Doctor’s Day programme held on IMA premises here with ‘Zero tolerance for violence against health professionals and clinical establishments’ as the theme, Deshpande said medicine was considered a noble profession, but attacks and accusations have damaged the image.

He said, “We need to collaborate and put in efforts to regain the lost glory. We must also focus on improving the doctor-patient relationship and enhance the doctor-doctor bond for better results.”

Guardian minister Chandrashekar Bawankule, who could not make it to the event, sent a message, expressing his concern over extreme delay in renewal of registration of hospitals and assured that he will look into the matter.

Speaking in support of people as well as private practitioners, Deshpande said, “The government is blaming us for not paying heed to the needs of rural areas and provide them medical services. In reality, almost all the doctors are associated with social work in some or the other way and many are reaching out to hinterlands as well. On the contrary, there is a dearth of medical equipment and technology in government institutions and hospitals which should be paid attention to at the earliest.”

Senior members of the fraternity were felicitated for their outstanding contribution to raise the bar of the medical profession. Emergency kits were distributed to representatives of transport, Maharashtra police, railways and Jan Akrosh.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari’s adviser Dr Viral Kamdar was the guest of honour while Dr Ashish Disawal, president of Nagpur branch of IMA and Dr Abhimanyu Niswade, dean of Government Medical College and Hospital were present, besides other dignitaries.