ISIC Launches #RespectDoctors Campaign on National Doctor’s Day Seeking Rights and Respect
Noting that violence against doctors is counterproductive to patient welfare and is against common humanitarian values, the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC), New Delhi today launched a campaign advocating the rights of doctors and respect for them as they continue to remain the only barrier between a constantly mutating COVID-19 virus and the people.
The campaign, titled #RespectDoctors, is launched ahead of the National Doctor’s Day and asserts that violence against doctors in India is an emerging epidemic that undermines their selfless contribution for the wellbeing of humanity.
According to statistics, more than 75 percent of doctors across India have faced some form of violence and 68.33 per cent of violence was committed by the patient’s attendants /escorts. In the initial days of the pandemic, a large number of violent attacks on doctors and healthcare workers were reported from all over India, prompting the government to enact a special law notifying violence against doctors as a non-bailable offence.
“The impact of violence is usually deeper than the marks on one’s body. Violent episodes leave a deep psychological impact on the doctors and noticeably decrease productivity – many have reported developing depression, anxiety, burnout, insomnia, and an inability to treat their patients without the fear of being under attack again. How can doctors not help patients get well? Violence against healthcare staff is not exclusive to the pandemic situation, and the law enacted last year has exerted limited impact – we still hear of such incidents. The doctor and patient ratio in India is only 0.7 per 1,000 patients less than 2.5 doctors per 1,000 patients, as mandated by the World Health Organization (WHO). Unless we curb the violent attacks against doctors, it will further reduce people’s access to quality and affordable healthcare care,” says Dr.H.S.Chhabra, Medical Director & Chief of Spine Service, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre, New Delhi.
“Doctors have been the caregivers for centuries and the pandemic has only shown their dedication to humanity. Violence against doctors and healthcare workers is completely unacceptable – attacking doctors makes their workplace unsafe and denies their right to a safe work environment. We wholeheartedly support this campaign for the safety of doctors at work and will extend every possible support,” says Sugandh Ahluwalia, Chief Strategy Officer, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre.