Addressing Violence Against Healthcare Professionals: A Call for Change
National Doctors' Day: A Reflection on Challenges Faced by Medical Professionals
Each year, India honors its medical professionals on National Doctors' Day, recognizing their unwavering dedication to saving lives. However, this year, prominent doctors have highlighted a pressing issue that threatens both healthcare providers and patient care: violence against doctors. Incidents of families vandalizing hospitals, attacking medical staff following unfavorable outcomes, and subjecting them to intimidation and lengthy legal battles have become distressingly common.
At the recent Health Summit 2026 in Hyderabad, a strong and unified message emerged from speakers, including former Indian Medical Association president Dr. Dilip Bhanushali and esteemed pediatrician Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh. They emphasized that the practice of medicine often demands quick decision-making, confidence, and undivided attention. However, when doctors are preoccupied with the fear of violence from agitated relatives or the threat of legal action, it hampers their ability to provide the quality care that patients deserve. The central theme of this year's Doctors' Day, 'Behind the mask: Who heals the healer?', resonates deeply with this concern.
Doctors are traditionally viewed as healers, often referred to as 'Gods in white coats'. Each physician enters a consultation or operating room with the singular aim of healing, having invested years in education and training to optimize patient recovery chances. Yet, the constant fear of violence and retaliation creates an environment that adversely affects critical medical decision-making.
Dr. Sivaranjani Santosh, known as the ORS Lady of India, voiced her alarm over the rising attacks on healthcare workers and questioned the effectiveness of current deterrents. She urged the Indian Medical Association to publish statistics on these incidents and the consequences faced by offenders. 'We frequently see videos of doctors being assaulted, but there seems to be no deterrent. If strict actions were enforced, it might discourage potential offenders,' she stated.
Dr. Ishwar Gilada called for stronger legal protections, advocating for the Healthcare Protection and Clinical Services (Prevention of Violence) Bill, 2025 to be enacted. He believes that legal safeguards should be complemented by improved communication between doctors and patients, enhanced hospital protocols, and increased public awareness. Collaboration among healthcare institutions, government bodies, legal authorities, and communities is essential to address conflicts before they escalate into violence.
Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan pointed out that the issue transcends the safety of medical professionals; it directly impacts the quality of healthcare provided to patients. Healthcare workers cannot perform optimally under the threat of violence. He highlighted the misconception that every adverse medical outcome stems from negligence, noting that many patients may not survive despite receiving the best care due to the complexity of their conditions. Hospitals should implement effective grievance redressal systems to address concerns promptly, ensuring that healthcare environments are recognized as safe zones devoid of violence.
Dr. Tejinder Singh reminded everyone that both doctors and patients share a common goal. While it is natural for families to feel grief and frustration when a loved one is critically ill, resorting to violence only exacerbates the challenges faced by the healthcare system. Doctors, too, experience loss and disappointment. Despite remarkable advancements in medical science, it cannot guarantee recovery for every patient. What is essential, he emphasized, is fostering respectful dialogue and mutual trust.
The experts also raised concerns about the fear of litigation. They noted that increasing legal scrutiny and the potential for prolonged court battles under consumer protection laws have made many doctors apprehensive. While accountability is crucial, the constant fear of legal repercussions can lead to defensive medicine, where decisions are influenced more by the desire to avoid litigation than by what is best for the patient.
Doctors want patients and their families to recognize that medicine is not an exact science. Even with the best treatments, complications can occur, and not every life can be saved. When unfortunate outcomes are met with violence rather than understanding, it fosters an environment where doctors may resort to defensive practices instead of prioritizing patient welfare.
On National Doctors' Day, their appeal is not for sympathy but for understanding. Protecting doctors from violence is not about shielding them from accountability; it is about ensuring an environment where medical professionals can make life-saving decisions with confidence and clarity. When fear infiltrates the consultation room or operating theatre, it is not just the doctors who suffer—the quality of care that every patient deserves is at stake.