Urgent Call for Protection of Healthcare Workers Ahead of National Doctors' Day

National Doctors' Day and the Need for Legislative Action

As India gears up to celebrate National Doctors' Day on July 1, the People's Health Organisation-India (PHO) has reiterated its demand for the swift enactment of the Healthcare Professionals and Clinical Establishments (Prevention of Violence) Bill, 2025. This proposed legislation is deemed crucial for safeguarding doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other healthcare workers from the alarming rise in violence against them.

PHO has highlighted that assaults on healthcare professionals are no longer isolated incidents but a significant public health issue that jeopardizes the healthcare system and, consequently, patient care. Healthcare workers often operate under extreme stress, managing overcrowded facilities, staff shortages, and limited resources, all while facing verbal abuse, intimidation, physical attacks, and even vandalism of medical facilities. Tragically, some of these incidents have resulted in fatalities.

Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Secretary General of PHO, stated, "Violence against healthcare professionals is not just an attack on an individual; it undermines the entire healthcare system and affects every patient relying on it." The repercussions of such violence extend beyond the immediate victims, leading to burnout, anxiety, and mental strain among healthcare workers, diminishing morale, and fostering defensive medical practices that can escalate healthcare costs. This violence disrupts emergency services and ultimately compromises the quality and accessibility of patient care.

In an already strained healthcare environment, violence further hampers the ability of medical professionals and institutions to deliver timely and compassionate care. PHO acknowledges that various factors contribute to the tensions between patients, families, and healthcare providers, including overcrowded hospitals, inadequate infrastructure, shortages of trained staff, long wait times, rising out-of-pocket expenses, misinformation, unrealistic expectations, and communication gaps. However, the organization emphasizes that these systemic issues do not justify violence against healthcare workers.

Currently, the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020 provides legal protection to healthcare personnel only during declared epidemics or public health emergencies. Outside of these circumstances, India lacks a comprehensive national law that uniformly protects healthcare professionals and institutions. While some states have implemented their own laws addressing violence against doctors, the legal landscape remains inconsistent, with varying levels of protection and enforcement.

PHO believes that the proposed Healthcare Professionals and Clinical Establishments (Prevention of Violence) Bill, 2025, would address this gap by creating a standardized national legal framework. The Bill aims to criminalize violence against healthcare professionals, safeguard hospitals from vandalism, impose stricter penalties on offenders, provide compensation for damages to healthcare facilities, and enhance investigation and prosecution processes.

Dr. Gilada emphasized, "The safety of healthcare workers should not be contingent upon geographical boundaries or differing state laws. Every healthcare professional in India deserves equal legal protection while fulfilling their duties to society. This legislation must be prioritized by Parliament."

While legislative measures are vital, PHO advocates for broader reforms within the healthcare system. Recommendations include enhancing security infrastructure in hospitals through surveillance systems, trained security personnel, controlled access points, and emergency response protocols. Additionally, regular training for healthcare professionals in communication, empathy, and conflict resolution is essential to mitigate misunderstandings and improve doctor-patient relationships.

Moreover, PHO stresses the importance of increased public investment in healthcare infrastructure, recruitment of healthcare workers, improved doctor-patient ratios, and ongoing public education about the uncertainties and limitations of medical science.

This appeal coincides with National Doctors' Day, which honors the medical community and commemorates the birth and death anniversary of Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy, a renowned physician and former Chief Minister of West Bengal. PHO acknowledges that healthcare professionals have consistently been at the forefront during epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters, and medical emergencies, often risking their safety to care for others.

The organization has called upon the Prime Minister, the Union Health Ministry, Members of Parliament, and all stakeholders to support the prompt passage of the Bill, asserting that protecting healthcare workers is crucial not only for the profession but also for ensuring every patient's right to uninterrupted, safe, and quality healthcare. The implications of violence against healthcare workers extend beyond hospitals, potentially disrupting emergency care, increasing healthcare costs through defensive practices, deterring professionals from high-pressure environments, and ultimately affecting timely treatment access for patients nationwide.