Tougher laws will make a foray for any kind of violence hurled against medical staff in Kerala. The law formulated during the time of Oommen Chandy government has been retrieved back with stronger sections. The reawakening happened after the ghastly murder of Dr. Vandana Das at Kottarakkara Hospital. The law will come into effect in all hospitals of the state after the approval of the Governor and the implementation of the necessary regulations.

The legislature assembly passed unanimously the bill to amend the Hospital Protection ACT. No such contrarian voices happened while presenting the bill and the acceptance was thus palpable among all.

A provision was also included in the bill that would make it a punishable offence to hurl expletives at hospital staff, but this was dropped amidst objections from many members. In cases of violence against the hospital and its employees, the bill stipulates that the investigation should be completed within two months and a special session court should be appointed to conduct the trial. This provision is intended to prevent cases from dragging on indefinitely. Punishments for those involved in the crime have also been made more severe.

The new law tries to shield the hospital staff and others involved in the health sector from any malevolence. The government expects this to invariably better the working conditions in hospitals. But it will be puerile to believe that such strengthening of laws could wipe clear all such crimes in one go. Lakhs of people storm the hospitals every day across Kerala. It all depends on how the medical staff conduct with these people.

Stubborn, curmudgeon and gruff type people are also included in the list and the same happens with medical staff. In government hospitals, the influx of patients will be beyond what the staff can comfortably handle. Some people among them care less for rules and will be ready to share punches for some trivial matters.

Patients and relatives should try to cooperate with the staff as much as possible and not antagonize them in any way. Trying to be condescending to the patients in the wake of stronger laws could also backfire. Respectful behaviour and empathy should be the hallmark of any hospital because people come here in search of relief and cure. It must be said that the current conditions in most of the government hospitals are far from what is called humane.