Taking a very strict stand, the Supreme Court has once again issued a stern warning regarding the continuous attacks on doctors and medical staff across the country. The court has said in clear words that people who enter hospitals and assault doctors have no right to roam freely in the society. The apex court has given a clear message to the leaders and influential people that strictest action should be taken against those who take law and order into their own hands so that a strong message can be sent to the society. Hearing recent cases of attacks on medical personnel inside hospitals in Maharashtra and other parts of the country, the Supreme Court has expressed deep concern over the deteriorating law and order situation. This blunt comment of the Supreme Court regarding the safety of doctors who protect the country and save the lives of patients has become the main topic of discussion in the political and administrative circles, where the question is being raised that for how long will the food providers and life providers have to become victims of such violence.
Supreme Court’s strong rebuke on increasing violence in hospitals and safety of doctors
When a doctor or medical staff is risking his life day and night to save the life of a patient, then such violence not only brings shame to humanity but also demoralizes the entire health system. During the hearing, the Supreme Court expressed strong objection to how people associated with some political parties or their workers forcibly enter hospitals and commit heinous incidents like assault on doctors. The court believes that such incidents are not an attack on any individual, but are a direct attack on the law and order and health services of the country. The judiciary has made it clear that showing any kind of leniency in such cases would be against the principles of justice, because if doctors do not get protection then who will treat the general public.
Serious questions from the court on the working style of leaders and political parties
In some recent cases, when names of people with political influence or local leaders were involved in attacks on doctors, the judicial system took suo motu cognizance of this and expressed strong displeasure. The Supreme Court underlined how people belonging to the same ideology or background repeatedly commit such violence and then try to get away with it by taking advantage of legal loopholes. The court made it clear that no matter how influential someone is, if he has violated the law and raised his hand on doctors, he should be immediately taken into custody. It is expected from politicians and public representatives that they will protect the law, but when the same people or their supporters take the law into their own hands, the foundation of democracy begins to shake.
Growing concern about security among medical staff and resident doctors across the country
Such violent incidents have a direct impact on the young doctors and medical students of the country who are serving in government and private hospitals from remote rural areas to big cities. Due to lack of safe environment, doctors have to choose the path of strike and demonstration every day to demand their safety, due to which poor and common patients have to wander from door to door for treatment. Medical associations and organizations have welcomed this tough stance of the Supreme Court and have demanded that hospitals be declared safe zones and permanent deployment of police force should be ensured there. Unless the attackers are given prompt and strict punishment, it will not be possible to completely control such incidents.
Strong message for the future and need for strictness on the administrative front
This warning of the Supreme Court is not just a court comment, but it is a strict direction to the Central and State Governments to take strict and practical steps for the safety of health workers. The courts clearly believe that the message of the accused getting bail and getting off easily creates a wrong impression in the society, hence the cases should be heard at a fast pace. In the times to come, it will be very important to see how diligently the administrative machinery works in this direction and whether doctors actually get the safe environment they deserve. Every citizen of the country has to understand that doctors are the form of God on this earth, and raising hands on them is directly equivalent to flouting both humanity and law.