Chandigarh :Standing firmly with the Doctor fraternity agitating against the shocking rape and murder case in Kolkata, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Balbir Singh today demanded Rs 10 crore ex-gratia from Centre and West Bengal Government for the parents of the victim doctor, besides seeking speedy justice for victim and exemplary punishment for culprits.
He also urged the Union Government to bring a stringent central law to prevent assault against medical professionals across the country.
Dr. Balbir Singh, who was accompanied by MP Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal, MLA Amritsar South Dr. Inderbir Singh Nijjar, MLA Banga Dr. Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, VC Baba Farid University Mr Rajiv Sood Secretary Health Mr. Kumar Rahul, MD PSHC Mr Varinder Kumar Sharma and IGP Headquarters Dr. Sukhchain Singh Gill, held a meeting with representatives of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Association, Resident Doctors Association and Medical & Dental Teachers Association here at Punjab Bhawan on Monday evening.
He assured the agitating doctors that he will write to the Union Health Minister to bring a central law for the prevention of assault against medical professionals.The Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led state government would ensure the security of all doctors, particularly women healthcare staff.
He directed the department officials to constitute District Health Boards to conduct Security Audit at all the state Health institutes to ensure the safety of medical professionals, especially female staff.
He also asked the heads of the government health institutes to implement the Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) relating to security and infrastructure within 48 hours at their institutes.
He categorically said that there should be no dark spots and female medical professionals on night shift must be accompanied by two male staff whenever she has to go to see patients to distant wards.
While assuring fulsome support to the healthcare fraternity from the Punjab Government, Dr. Balbir Singh urged all the doctors to resume their duty as suffering of the patients, especially the poor, is profoundly concerning.
He said that the state government is supporting the medical community’s demand for justice.MP Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal said that the women grievances cell should also be activated.
Director Medical Education & Research Dr. Avnish Kumar, Director Health & Family Welfare Dr Hitinder Kaur, President Punjab IMA Dr Sunil Katyal, President PCMSA Dr Akhil Sarin, President Medical and Dental teacher association Dr Darshanjit, Presidents of Resident Doctors Association including Dr Ram Mehar Sharma (Faridkot), Dr Shivanshi (Amritsar) and Dr Akshay (Patiala) and Director-cum-Principals of Government Medical Colleges including Dr Rajeev Devgan (Amritsar), Dr Rajan Singla (Patiala) and Dr Sanjay Gupta (Faridkot) among other prominent personalities were present in the meeting.