NEW DELHI (UCAN): On April 22, the federal government of India passed an amendment to the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, making acts of violence and harassment against healthcare personnel fighting the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) a punishable offense.
It stipulates a jail term of up to seven years and a fine of up to 500,000 rupees ($50,900) for violators, said Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Keshav Javadekar.
“The law is needed at this juncture as there were reports of corona warriors being attacked in some states, which is very unfortunate as they are risking their lives to save us from this world pandemic,” Archbishop Prakash Mallavarapu of Visakhapatnam said.
“The corona warriors are like angels at this time of emergency who have put their duty first, not even thinking of the consequences of dealing with such a disease, not only putting their lives at risk but their family members as well, the archbishop explained, adding, “If we don’t appreciate them, then we don’t even have the right to attack them as they are doing their duties religiously.”
Archbishop Mallavarapu is chairperson of the health commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India.
“If the injuries are serious, the punishment will range from six months to seven years and carry a fine of between 100,000 and 500,000 rupees ($10,000 to $50,900),” Javadekar told reporters in New Delhi on April 22. He said the government would not tolerate violence and harassment against doctors, nurses, paramedic staff and other healthcare personnel.
The amended law will also be invoked if healthcare workers face harassment from their landlords. Javadekar explained that under the amended law, the offense will be cognisable and non-bailable, meaning that police can arrest the accused and only courts can release them on bail.
The minister added that the amended law also has provisions to provide compensation for damage or loss of property of health workers.
He said the government took the step after consulting health professionals who had planned a nationwide silent protest on April 22 to 23 against attacks on their personnel.
A backlash against doctors has been reported across the globe but it is more intense in India, where trust in the healthcare system is already low and misinformation is rampant on social media.
Media reports said that attacks on medical professionals, stones thrown at police officers and sexual harassment of female doctors and nurses have caused concern among health professionals and the government for some time.
The first attack was reported in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, in early April. There were also reports of attacks on health professionals in Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.
“The law was much needed and long due as medical personnel are going thorough physical as well as mental stress and there may be a chance it can affect their responsibilities,” Father Paul V. Parathazham, director of St. John’s National Academy of Health Sciences in Bangalore, said.
“We have more than 500 doctors here who go through this mental stress, but after this new ordinance they may feel relief as attacks, abuse and humiliation are nothing new for them. It happens here and in the field too, so there is no doubt about what the corona warriors are going through at this stage,” he said.
“We wholeheartedly welcome the new law. There is even news that the state government of Karnataka is coming up with a similar law. It will be great boost to medical professionals,” Father Parathazham said.
