'Will ensure safety of our professionals': PM Modi on Ordinance for healthcare workers

Hours after Centre anunced an ordinance to amend Epidemic Diseases Act of 1876 in wake of rising incidents of violence and discrimination against medical personnel amidst Coronavirus pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that ordinance manifests government's commitment to protect healthcare workers. Taking to Twitter, he stated that ordinance will ensure safety of our professionals and re can be compromise on safety of those bravely battling COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated that ordinance will go a long way in assuring 'safety and dignity' of healthcare workers. Home Minister assured that government is committed to protecting those who are protecting India during se challenging times. 

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As per ordinance, government will amend Epidemic Disease Act, 1897, and assaults on healthcare workers will be considered as cognizable and n-bailable offence whose probe will need to be done within 30 days under supervision of a senior inspector. judicial process and verdict would also arrive within a year.

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Ordinance for protection of healthcare workers

Addressing a press briefing earlier in day, Union I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar anunced that Union Cabinet had approved an ordinance to protect health workers. Basically, Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 has been amended to make an attack on health workers a cognisable and n-bailable offence. investigation in such cases has to be completed within 30 days and verdict will have to be delivered within one year. Assault on health workers will attract a penalty of Rs.50,000 to 2 lakh and a jail term of 3 months to 5 years.

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If it is a serious injury, an enhanced penalty in form of Rs.1 to 5 lakh and a jail term ranging from 6 months to 7 years will apply. Moreover, twice cost of damd property of healthcare workers will be recovered from guilty. Javadekar also revealed that a decision had been taken by Cabinet whereby n-COVID patients can be freely treated even in n-panelled or COVID hospitals under Ayushmann Bharat Yojana. 

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