Attacks on doctors: Publicise about strict action, Kerala HC tells govt

KOCHI: The Kerala high court on Thursday asked the state government to publicize through media that those who attack doctors and medical professionals would face strict action.

The orders issued by the court should be publicized through the media so that the directions in them would reach the public, justice Devan Ramachandran said while reiterating that attacks on doctors and medical professionals cannot be justified in any way.

A review petition filed by Kerala Private Hospitals Association against the court’s judgment regarding fixing of rates for in-patient treatment of Covid-19 patients is being considered by a division bench comprising justices Devan Ramachandran and Kauser Edappagath. At an earlier hearing, the association had highlighted the recent attacks against doctors at Kozhikode and Muvattupuzha.

On Thursday, the association argued for booking the attackers under provisions of Kerala Epidemic Diseases Act, 2021 too. The state government informed the court that it would consider amending the 2012 legislation aimed at preventing attacks against healthcare professionals and institutions. The court will hear the case again next week.