New Delhi, April 22: Assault of doctors, nurses, paramedics and ASHA workers will now be a cognisable and non-bailable offence with the union cabinet on Wednesday approving amendments to the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 to protect health staffers in the frontline of COVID 19 management and response.
Following several instances of attacks on health fraternity members including damages to their property, the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi finalised promulgation of an ordinance to amend the 123-year-old law on Wednesday.
The ordinance proposes investigation of assault on health staff in one month, and justice in a year.
Assault on health and paramedical staff is proposed to be punished with jail ranging from three months to five years and fine between Rs 50,000 and Rs 2 lakh.
Grievous assault will attract stricter sentences from six months to seven years jail and Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh fine.
“Anyone damaging the property of a healthcare professional will be made to pay twice the market cost of such property,” union information minister Prakash Javadekar said.
He said the message of the BJP government is clear—“zero tolerance” to crimes against health fraternity, the minister said.
The ordinance was brought after a morning meeting today between Home Minister Amit Shah and Health Minister Harsh Vardhan with healthcare representatives including IMA.
The central government also approved free treatment for non COVID ailments for beneficiaries of Ayushman Bharat scheme who visit hospitals that may not be empaneled with Ayushman scheme.
