Kerala HC asks state govt to publicise penal consequences for attacking healthcare workers

Expressing concern over  attack on healthcare workers, Kerala High Court directed state government to publicise penal consequences for same. A division bench of Justices Devan Ramachandran and Kauser Edappagath was hearing Kerala Private Hospitals Association's review petition regarding COVID-19 treatment charges in private hospitals fixed by Pinarayi Vijayan-led government. As per an order dated August 12, government anunced steps such as installation of CCTVs in hospitals to avert intimidation of healthcare workers.

Moreover, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) submitted that 278 cases have been registered under Kerala Health Care Service Persons and Health Care Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Dam to Property) Act, 2012. While a charge sheet has been filed in 232 such cases, 28 cases are still under investigation. Appearing for petitioner, advocate K Anand submitted that attacks on doctors and nurses are still continuing owing to police's laxity and delay in investigation.

Observing that statistics paint a very sombre scenario, HC stressed that attempt to intimidate healthcare workers cant be tolerated. It observed, "We must also remind Government that it is only sensitization and education that citizens be made aware that ir actions against Doctors and Nurses would invite penal consequences under provisions of Act. Even though we have suggested this at Bar last time when this case was listed, we have t come across any public messs or news releases from side of Government informing public that such attacks would attract very severe penalties under provisions of Act".

HC's directive to DGP

In its order dated September 9, Kerala High Court also asked state police chief to direct all Station House Officers to react swiftly in case of assault of healthcare workers. While taking te of fact that DGP has already issued instructions in this regard to all district police chiefs on August 31, it stressed need for se directives to percolate down to lowest level. matter will be listed for furr consideration on September 22.

Im: PTI