The National President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dr Sharad Agarwal, has expressed concern over the growing instances of violence against medical practitioners in India. In an interview with The Healthy Indian Project (THIP), Dr Agarwal urged the government to enact a law to protect the medical community.
A survey conducted a few years ago revealed that 75% of doctors in India have experienced workplace violence. Although the Epidemic (Amended) Ordinance, passed in 2020, provides some protection for healthcare workers fighting the pandemic, Dr Agarwal argues that violence against doctors should be considered a crime at all times.
Dr Agarwal stressed that ensuring the safety and security of doctors is a top priority for the IMA. He also addressed the issue of AYUSH medicinal systems in India, clarifying that IMA does not oppose any medical system but opposes the practice of crosspathy, where medicines from one field are prescribed by individuals with no knowledge of that field.
While acknowledging the government’s intentions regarding AYUSH, Dr Agarwal suggested that the implementation at the grassroots level needs improvement, and the IMA is ready to collaborate with the government for this.
The interview, conducted by Anshima Gupta for THIP’s show Health Dialogues, touched upon several topics, including health misinformation, IMA’s initiatives such as ‘Aao Gaon Chale’ and the increasing costs of healthcare. Dr Agarwal’s call for better safety for health workers is a timely reminder of the challenges he and his colleagues face on the front lines of India’s healthcare system.
