AMN
The Kerala State government has decided to bring an ordinance to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals. The government also decided to put up police aid posts at all important hospitals and directed all hospitals to assess security every month. The decision comes after a high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan last evening in the backdrop of the murder of doctor Vandana Das while on duty at a government hospital on Wednesday. The official communication from the CM’s office said that necessary amendments would be made to the Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act 2012 Act to ensure the safety of health workers and hospital staff.
The brutal murder had shocked the state and an outraged medical fraternity went on strike demanding steps to ensure the safety of health professionals. The Kerala Medical Officers Association later called off the strike after the government’s decision.