A small group of activists in Jharkhand lodged protest against the proposed medical protection bill and burnt symbolic copies of its draft in Ranchi on Monday.
While the activists lodged their protest against what they termed as “the anti-people bill” at Albert Ekka Chowk, the nerve centre of Ranchi, some others took to social media for opposing it.
Health minister Banna Gupta had recently mentioned about the state government’s intention of bringing the bill, aimed at giving protection to doctors and medical facilities, at a programme meant for felicitating healthcare personnel for their commendable role during the Covid-19 induced pandemic.
But the activists started protesting against it only after a news agency (ANI) tweeted on August 20 that the Jharkhand government (was) to bring Medical Protection Bill in upcoming monsoon session.
“We’re concerned about safety of doctors, health workers. They have done a tremendous job during Covid-19. We are committed to providing
them a secure environment,” the agency quoted Gupta as saying.
Immediately after this, the members of the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan Morcha, a civil organisation working in health sector, met on Saturday and decided to lodge protest by burning symbolic copies of the bill on Monday.
“The bill is actually aimed at encouraging loot in corporate-run hospitals in the guise of protecting the doctors,” alleged Bhuvaneshwar Keyot of the morcha, adding it would actually “benefit the health mafia”.
“Hope voices of people for whom you are the HM (honourable minister) will be heard,” tweeted Atul Gera who is well known for organising voluntary blood donation camps.
“While you are so happy to bring medical protection bill, please simultaneously bring bill to regulate medical fees, hospital and lab test charges,” Gera added.
“Sir, please also bring bill to regulate medical fees, lab test fees and mandatory prescription of generic medicines so that healthcare facilities be affordable to everyone in the society,” one Anand Kumar tweeted, echoing Gera.
“Yes, u shd (you should) bring patients protection bill,” one Sushil Kumar Tiwari joined them in tweeting.
“We wanted to create awareness and mobilise public opinion,” activist Nadim Khan replied when asked about the thin attendance of the protesters and the impact of their protest would have.
“The morcha actually comprises of many activists and organisations and they all will join whenever needed,” he further said.
“Had it been so, why should the doctors spend thousands of rupees for engaging private security personnel for ensuring their own safety?” questioned Dr Bharati Kashyap, president of the women doctors wing of the state branch of Indian Medical Association, adding the bill was required for ensuring safety of healthcare facilities and personnel.
The proposed medical protection bill is nothing new. It was initiated a few years ago but was shelved following public protest.