IMA Demands Stricter Laws to Safeguard Doctors in Andhra Pradesh

In a significant call for action, the newly appointed president of the Andhra Pradesh chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), Dr. Sangaraju Balaraju, has urged the state government to enhance laws aimed at protecting medical professionals and institutions from rising violence. During his inauguration at the IMA state office in Vijayawada on October 15, 2023, Dr. Balaraju highlighted the urgent need for reform in the existing legal framework, specifically the AP Non-Bailable Offences Act (Protection of Medical Service Persons and Medical Institutions), established in 2008.

Dr. Balaraju emphasized that the current provisions, which mandate a two-year prison term for assaults against medical personnel, have proven ineffective. He pointed out that according to Supreme Court guidelines, non-bailable offences should only apply to crimes carrying a minimum sentence of seven years. This discrepancy leaves medical professionals vulnerable to attacks without adequate legal recourse.

Call for a National Medical Protection Act

Dr. Balaraju also advocated for the introduction of a national Medical Protection Act, which has been pending for several years. He stressed the necessity for a standardized police Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to prevent trivial medical negligence claims from being filed. As part of his proposed reforms, he suggested that First Information Reports (FIRs) should only be registered after thorough review by a three-member expert committee.

During his address, Dr. Balaraju noted that approximately 60% of patients in Andhra Pradesh rely on private healthcare facilities. He called on the government to address outstanding debts owed under the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme, revise package rates, and implement a streamlined process for hospital licensing. Furthermore, he demanded strict penalties for untrained practitioners who prescribe potent antibiotics in violation of guidelines set by the National Medical Commission (NMC).

Dr. Balaraju reaffirmed the IMA’s commitment to supporting all medical systems while firmly opposing the practice of allowing AYUSH practitioners to administer allopathic treatments without appropriate training. The IMA boasts a membership of over 400,000 nationwide, with more than 22,000 members in Andhra Pradesh alone.

The meeting was attended by senior IMA officials, including former president Dr. G. Nandakishore and president-elect Dr. P.S. Sharma, further underscoring the organization’s unified stance on these critical issues facing healthcare professionals today.

Dr. Balaraju’s call to action reflects a growing concern among medical professionals about their safety and the need for robust legal protections in an increasingly challenging environment.