A national bill aimed at strengthening legal protections for doctors and other healthcare workers was introduced in the Rajya Sabha by Member of Parliament (MP) Fauzia Khan.
The proposed bill, The Central Protection of Healthcare Workers and Medical Establishments from Violence Bill was presented in Parliament in response to concerns over increasing incidents of harassment, abuse, and physical violence against medical professionals in India. The bill seeks to create a national framework for safety and redressal for healthcare workers across states and union territories.
Healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses, and allied staff have in recent years reported a rise in workplace violence, ranging from verbal abuse to physical attacks in hospitals and medical facilities. Advocates have argued that inconsistent enforcement, variations in state laws, and limited recourse for victims have contributed to an unsafe environment for frontline workers.
The bill introduced by MP Fauzia Khan includes several provisions designed to enhance the safety and security of healthcare personnel:
Designation of healthcare professionals as a protected class under law, similar to other essential service personnel.
Penalties for violence, obstruction, and threats against doctors and healthcare workers in the course of their duties.
Establishment of mechanisms for rapid legal action and compensation for affected healthcare workers.
Clarity on jurisdiction and enforcement, enabling police and administrative authorities to take swift action.
The bill’s text also acknowledges the need for standardized protections across India, rather than a patchwork of varying state rules.
MP Fauzia Khan presented the bill during a session of the Rajya Sabha, urging members to consider the rising concerns facing healthcare workers and the need for legislative action.
The bill is currently under consideration and may be referred to relevant parliamentary committees for further review and refinement before being put to a vote.
Healthcare associations and doctor unions have reportedly welcomed the move, describing the bill as a positive step toward ensuring workplace safety, though detailed responses from all stakeholders are still emerging.
Under India’s constitutional framework, Health and Law & Order fall under State jurisdiction, leaving State governments responsible for mechanisms to prevent violence against doctors, while incidents are not tracked centrally.
The Union Health Ministry has emphasized that violence against healthcare professionals is already punishable under IPC and CrPC provisions, and further strengthened protections during the COVID-19 period through the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020, which made attacks on healthcare personnel during public health emergencies cognizable and non-bailable, with penalties including imprisonment and compensation.
The Ministry has also issued advisories urging States to implement hospital security measures such as trained security forces, CCTV surveillance, Quick Reaction Teams, controlled access, institutional FIRs, and improved staffing and infrastructure to reduce system strain.
The demand for a dedicated national law has intensified in recent years following the RG Kar Medical College rape and murder case in Kolkata, which triggered widespread outrage and renewed attention to the pattern of assaults on doctors and the vulnerability of medical staff to bystander aggression. Against this backdrop, the introduction of a national protection bill in Parliament reflects a growing call for uniform safeguards to ensure that healthcare professionals can work without fear of violence.
(Rh/TL)
