A bill to protect doctors,medical staff on duty passed in assembly

Ahmedabad, 29 March, 2012

As per the promise given to striking junior doctors few days back, the Gujarat government today introduced a bill to protect doctors and medical staff on duty. The bill was passed unopposed as all opposition members of assembly are suspended.

The bill intends to protect on-duty doctors, para medical staff, nurses, ambulance van staff of all registered hospitals, dispensaries and medical institutions against attack and assault.

Any assault or offending behavior will invite three-year jail and fine as high as Rs 50,000 as per the provision in the bill.

However opposition Congress criticized the shortcomings of the bill. President of Gujarat Congress Shri Arjun Modhwadia said, “such bill can’t protect doctors. There should be a provision of action against few doctors who fail in their responsibility towards patients.”