On the 20th of April, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) wrote to the Central Government announcing the 23rd of April to be a black day. The announcement came against the violent attacks on doctors and medical staff treating the Novel Coronavirus patients in India.
The IMA, condemned the violent attacks on the medical staff and wrote, “If the Government fails to enact Central Law on violence against Doctors & Hospitals even after White Alert, IMA will declare Black Day on 23rd April. All doctors in the country will work with black badges.”
Dr. Rajan Sharma, the National President of the IMA, wrote the letter dated the 20th of April, in the wake of the violence and disgusting behaviour towards doctors who are screening and treating COVID-19 patients. The letter further read, “Our legitimate needs for safe workplaces have to be met. Abuse and violence should stop immediately. White Alert to the nation – All doctors and hospitals to light a candle at 9pm on 22 April, as protest and vigil.”
Recently in Indore, Madhya Pradesh and Gaziabad of Uttar Pradesh witnessed such incidents where mobs were attacking the doctors, and spat on them. However, the decision to observe the 23rd of March as Black Day came after the Chennai incident.
Recently in Chennai, a doctor who died of COVID-19 was denied cremation by locals, stones were thrown at the ambulance carrying the demised neurosurgeon.
Though Chennai Police arrested twenty people in the case, such incidents against the doctors treating COVID-19 patients did not stop. Considering all these facts, the IMA demanded a special law from the Centre, for violence on doctors, nurses, health care workers and hospitals.
Stay tuned for further updates.
