The rising cases of assault on duty doctors and para medical staff by relatives of patients has resulted in doctors on night duty to work in an atmosphere of fear, regretted Dr. C. Sharath Kumar, President, Indian Medical Association (IMA), Mysore branch, here this morning.

He was speaking at J.K. Grounds from where more than 400 members of medical faculty including doctors, para medical staff and students of JSS Medical College and MMC&RI took out a rally to register their protest against assaults on doctors, besides creating an awareness on the issue.

Stating that no doctor intentionally neglects any patients, he urged citizens not to get carried away by emotions and resort to violence on members of medical faculty in cases of deaths of their near and dear ones.

Dr. Sharath Kumar also stated that as per the Karnataka Prevention of Violence and Damage Act-2009, any attack on doctors attracts a punishment of jail upto three years and a fine of Rs. 50,000. He urged for strict implementation of the Act and help doctors and their staff to perform their duties effectively without fear.

The rally, which was flagged off by JSS Medical College Principal Dr. H. Basavana Gowdappa from J.K.Grounds, passed through Narayana Shastry road and Devaraja Urs road to reach the office of the Deputy Commissioner where a memorandum, addressed to CM Siddharamaiah, was presented to Deputy Commissioner Dr. Ramegowda.

IMA Vice-President Dr. Suresh Rudrappa, DHO Dr. S.M. Malegowda, Secretary of Karnataka Government Medical Officers Association Dr. Ravikumar, Dr. Puttaswamy, MMC&RI Teachers Association President Dr. Dinesh, students of JSS Medical College and MMC&RI took part in the rally.

Courtesy : Star Of Mysore