THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The legislature has passed the Hospital Protection Amendment Act, removing the provision of 3 months imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 for verbal abuse. This section has been omitted due to the assessment that the potential for misuse is high. With the amendment, people who work in a hospital ranging from doctors to cleaners will now be considered as 'health workers'. The punishment for attacks on health workers has been increased as well. The law was amended with strict conditions following the murder by stabbing of Dr Vandana Das in the Kottarakkara taluk hospital.
The Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions Amendment Act, which provides for a maximum imprisonment of seven years and a fine of up to five lakh rupees for violence against healthcare workers, was passed by the Legislative Assembly in 2012. The amendment provides for a jail term of not less than six months and a maximum of five years for committing acts of violence or attempting, provoking or inciting violence. A minimum fine of Rs 50,000 and a maximum fine of Rs 2 lakh can also be imposed.
Health workers will now include security personnel
Security staff, managerial staff, para-medical students, ambulance drivers and helpers of hospitals will henceforth be considered as health workers. Apart from this, other categories can also be included through gazette notification.
An officer not below the rank of Inspector