India’s apex medical body the Indian Medical Association has written to the central government demanding an ordinance to protect the medical community against violence. The IMA has also made the call for a ‘White Alert’ to the nation at 9:00 pm on 22nd April, in which all doctors and hospitals will light candles as a sign of protest and vigil against their mistreatment and abuse.
The IMA also warns that they will observe a ‘Black Day’ if no action is taken by the government.
The IMA says that doctors have been abused, beaten up, denied entry and lodging since coronavirus outbreak. According to the letter by the IMA, obstruction to cremation of doctors who lost their lives fighting the virus was the last straw. “We demand a special Central Law against violence on doctors, nurses, health care workers and Hospitals by an ordinance,” wrote the IMA in the letter to the government.
Nagaland has seen two incidents of violence on doctors this month. First was the assault on Dr. Nosezol Sezo Rote, Senior Medical Officer under CMO Dimapur earlier this month by 3 STF personnel and most recently the assault on Dr Mongshithung Murry of Wokha Town by the police with batons.