Bill to curb violence against doctors introduced

Chennai, Nov 11 (UNI) A Bill, seeking to prohibit violence against medical practitioners, including nurses, medical students, nursing students and paramedical workers was today introduced in the Tamil Nadu assembly.

The Bill, introduced by Health Minister M R K Panneerselvam, seeks to replace the ordinance promulgated for this purpose by Governor Surjit Singh Barnala in July this year.

The Bill also seeks to prohibit causing damage or loss of property of the medical institutions in this state by deeming any such violence against person and property punishable, and enabling the court to determine compensation for the damage or loss of property.

The decision to bring in a legislation to prevent violence against medical practitioners was to enable them to do their noble duty, without fear, for the welfare of the society.

The government's decision comes in the wake of representation from Indian Medical Association, Tamil Nadu state branch and the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors' Assocition, which reported the recent incidents of violence against medical practitioners in the state, creating a sense of insecurity among them.

They requested that the state government provide necessary legal protection against such violence.

UNI WS SY AS1738