0
0
New Delhi, July 29, 2025:
In a decisive move to address the rising incidents of violence against medical professionals, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has directed all medical institutions and government hospitals nationwide to register a First Information Report (FIR) within six hours of any assault on doctors or medical staff. The directive was communicated by Union Minister of State for Health, Smt. Anupriya Patel, in a written statement to the Rajya Sabha.
The development comes amid increased reporting of attacks on doctors at hospitals and medical colleges across the country. While timely FIR registration has led to prompt action in some cases, there have been repeated concerns about delays or failure to register FIRs, hindering justice for affected medical practitioners.
Minister Patel clarified that data on such incidents is not maintained centrally because ‘Health’ and ‘Law & Order’ are listed as State subjects in the Constitution. “It is the primary responsibility of the concerned State/Union Territory to take note of events and eventualities for taking appropriate action to prevent attack against medical practitioners in hospitals,” she emphasized.
In response to questions from Parliament member Shri Abdul Wahab regarding the frequency of attacks and government interventions to safeguard medical professionals, the ministry detailed several measures. The Health Ministry has issued advisories to all Central Government Hospitals, Institutes, the All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), and Medical Colleges, emphasizing the need for rapid FIR registration and improved safety protocols. States and Union Territories have also been urged to bolster security and ensure safer work environments for doctors and healthcare staff.
In a related development, following the grave incident involving the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at R. G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, the Supreme Court of India set up a National Task Force (NTF) to recommend effective strategies to enhance the safety, working conditions, and overall well-being of medical professionals. The NTF has submitted its recommendations to the court for further action.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and statements made by government officials as of July 29, 2025. Readers are advised to consult official notifications or trusted government sources for updates or further details on this subject.
