All hospitals will be told to instal CCTVs: Parameshwara

 All government and private hospitals in the State will be asked to install CCTVs to help apprehend those individuals or groups who are found assaulting healthcare professionals, said Home Minister G Parameshwara on Thursday.

Following a meeting with Health and Family Welfare Minister U T Khader and officials of both the departments, on the increasing instances of attacks on medical professionals, in Bengaluru, Parameshwara told reporters that as many as 28 assault cases had been reported this year.

The department had also arrested around 49 persons in this regard. The Health department has been asked to make budgetary provision for installation of the cameras, as a majority of the cases reported are from government hospitals.

Khader has appealed to the department to vigorously enforce the Karnataka Prohibition of Violence against Medicare Service Personnel and Damage to Property in Medicare Service Institutions Act, 2009.

Special Act enacted

He said that the Special Act was enacted by the Karnataka Legislature in 2009 to prevent violence against medicare service personnel and damage to property in medicare institutions.

However, owing to ineffective implementation of the Act, assaults against health care professionals were on a rise, creating a fear psychosis among the community. “If the health care professionals are assured protection, then they can work without fear. I strongly condemn these attacks. We have to make sure that there is stringent action against the attackers,” he added.

Lack of awareness

Parameshwara said that there was lack of awareness about the Special Act both among the public and the healthcare professionals. Hence, all the healthcare institutions -- both government and private, will be asked to install boards outlining the provisions of the Act. “We will send out circulars and increase awareness about the Act,” he added.

More often than not, kin of patients resort to violence, charging medical negligence. However, as per the Act, the assault / attack is a punishable and non-bailable offence, attracting three years of imprisonment and recovery of damages.

U T Khader, Health and Family Welfare Minister: If the health care professionals are assured protection, then they can work without fear. I strongly condemn these attacks. We have to make sure that there is stringent action against the attackers