CENTRAL PROTECTION ACT FOR DOCTORS (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 –Health)
Context: Doctors need a Central Protection Act has gained attention, highlighting the need for stronger legal safeguards for medical professionals across India.
Central Protection Act for Doctors
- Also known as: Prevention of Violence Against Healthcare Professionals and Clinical Establishments Bill, 2022.
- Objective: To define, prohibit, and penalize violence against healthcare professionals.
- Provisions of the Protection Act:
o Prohibition of Violence: The Act prohibits violence against healthcare professionals and clinical establishments, including violence motivated by caste, gender, religion, language, or place of birth.
o Offences: Offences under this Act are classified as cognizable and non-bailable, meaning offenders can be arrested without a warrant and tried by a Judicial Magistrate of the First Class.
o Grievance Mechanisms: It establishes mechanisms to address grievances and aims to reduce long waiting periods in healthcare settings, which often contribute to conflicts.
o Medical Education Enhancement: The Act suggests incorporating cognitive, psychomotor, and empathic skills into medical education to better prepare healthcare providers for handling conflicts with patients.
o Mandatory Reporting: The Act requires mandatory reporting of incidents of violence against healthcare professionals and mandates the establishment of panels for investigation.
o Public Sensitization: It includes provisions for public awareness campaigns to educate the public about the challenges faced by healthcare professionals.
