SUBHASH MISHRA

Ranchi, Dec 21: The Indian Medical Association (IMA), Jharkhand chapter, has hailed Home Minister Amit Shah’s announcement that doctors would be excluded from criminal prosecution for death due to medical negligence under the new penal code.

IMA state vice-president (Kolhan Division) Dr AK Lal said that the announcement is praise worthy and will prove a landmark for medicos in providing services to patients fearlessly as doctors have often faced troubles by rowdy people in the name of negligence.

Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday announced in the Lok Sabha that doctors will get legal shields in cases of medical negligence. He said that the criminal law bill has been amended to give relief to medical professionals in case of a death caused due to alleged medical negligence.

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“This announcement reflects a balanced perspective, recognizing the challenges faced by doctors and healthcare professionals while ensuring accountability”, said Dr Lal over telephone from Jamshedpur.

Hundreds of doctors and health centres across the state especially in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad and medicos of medical college hospitals have been facing cases of alleged medical negligence.  Though the Supreme Court in 2004 had ruled that only on the report of  an expert medical team, a case of medical negligence can be filed, the apex court ruling is not followed in toto in some cases.

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“It is a step towards fostering a supportive environment for doctors in the state to deliver an effective and timely care without  minding fear of criminal consequences”, said Dr AK Lal.

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