Kerala: Ordinance To Protect Healthcare Personnel From Attacks Approved By Cabinet A Week After Death Of Doctor Vandana Das; Maximum Jail Term Of 7 Years

An ordinance to amend the Kerala Health Care Service Workers and Health Care Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Amendment Ordinance, 2012 has been approved in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today (17 May).

According to the provisions of the ordinance, people who cause grievous bodily harm to healthcare personnel could be punished with a prison term ranging from one year to seven years. A fine of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh has also been proposed.

Those who attempt to commit such violence or inspire others to do so would be punished with a prison term ranging from six months to five years and a fine ranging from Rs 50000 to Rs 2 lakh.

The definition of healthcare personnel includes managerial staff, paramedical staff, ambulance drivers, helpers etc besides doctors and nurses.

The investigation is to be done within 60 days of registering the FIR and the trial is to be done within a period of one year. Special courts would be set up in every district to ensure speedy trial.

The ordinance comes after statewide protests by doctors and other healthcare personnel over the fatal stabbing of Vandana Das, a young house surgeon at the Kottarakkara Taluk hospital by a man brought to the hospital for treatment by the police.

Also Read: Kerala: Shock And Outrage As Doctor Stabbed To Death By Accused Who Was Brought To The Hospital By Police