Doctors from across the country will stage a symbolic protest on Tuesday condemning the recent attacks on doctors in various parts of the country. Patient services, however, would remain unaffected in all hospitals.

As part of the nationwide protest, doctors would either wear a black belt or black ribbon according to the office bearers of Indian Medical Association. Dr Rajashekar Bellary, president, IMA Karnataka, said this would mark the beginning of their agitation.

“The Association has sought that the Centre come up with a separate law that ensures safety of medical professionals. There have been so many attacks in the past and there has been no action against the assaulters,” he added.

The state has put in place the Karnataka Prohibition of Violence Against Medicare Service Personnel and Damage to Property in Medicare Service Institutions Act, 2009. As per the Act, any violence against medicare service personnel or damage to property in a medicare service institution is punishable. Indulging in such acts would attract a fine of over Rs 50,000 besides imprisonment for a period of three years. The offence is also non-bailable.

Recent incidents include attack on doctors at Sirsi by BJP MP Ananthkumar Hegde and the assault by the kin of a patient who alleged medical negligence on a duty doctor at Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences. Following the death of a child at a Chigateri hospital in Davangere, the child’s relatives had assaulted hospital staff and PG doctors. 

“The IMA has given a call to observe IMA solidarity day, condemning repeated attacks on doctors,” said Dr Bellary.