Punjab Government has taken a firm stand on ensuring safety and security of medical professionals in the State. In response to the tragic incident in Kolkata, where a female postgraduate trainee doctor was brutally assaulted, Punjab Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education and Research Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Sunday assured that the state government is fully committed to protecting its medical professionals.
During a visit to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala on Sunday, Dr Balbir participated in a protest led by government medical college doctors, who were expressing their outrage and solidarity with their fellow doctors across the country. This nationwide strike was sparked by the horrifying incident in Kolkata, which has raised serious concerns about the safety of medical professionals across India.
Dr Balbir, in a symbolic gesture of empathy, drew blood from his own finger and smeared it on his apron, displaying his deep connection with the doctors’ cause. He condemned the Kolkata incident in the strongest terms and expressed his heartfelt sympathies to the victim and her family. “I stand with our doctors, and the Punjab Government will leave no stone unturned to ensure their safety. We will implement stringent measures to prevent any such unfortunate incidents in the future,” said Dr Balbir.
He also announced that the Punjab Government would be holding a crucial meeting with the state’s medical fraternity, including representatives from the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMS), on Monday. The meeting is aimed at developing comprehensive safety protocols for doctors and paramedical staff, ensuring they can work without fear.
In addition to his assurances at the state level, Dr Balbir revealed plans to write to the Prime Minister and the Union Health Minister, urging them to convene a national meeting of all health ministers to discuss the protection of medical professionals. He emphasized the need for a central act, as proposed by the IMA in 2019, that would make any assault on medical professionals a non-bailable offense, punishable by up to six years of imprisonment.
“The time has come for us to act decisively. I will personally meet with the Union Health Minister to push for the passage of this law. The safety of our doctors is non-negotiable,” Dr Balbir said. He further demanded that those responsible for such heinous crimes should be given the harshest punishment, including the death penalty, to send a strong message across the country.
The Health Minister also reassured medical students, doctors, and their families that the Punjab Government, under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership, will not compromise on their safety. “As a doctor and a father of a doctor, I understand the immense dedication and hard work required in this profession. The tragic incident in Kolkata is deeply painful, and my thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family,” said Dr Balbir.
Expressing its support for the nationwide protest by doctors following the tragic rape and murder of a female doctor in Kolkata, several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders — including Cabinet Minister, and MLAs visited hospitals across Punjab to show solidarity with the medical community.
As Health Minister Dr Balbir visited Rajendra Hospital in Patiala, Cabinet Minister Dr Baljit Kaur met with doctors at GGS Hospital in Faridkot. She emphasized the Punjab Government’s commitment to ensuring the safety of female doctors and announced plans for enhanced security measures in hospitals. AAP MP Rajkumar Chabbewal and former Minister Dr Inderbir Singh Nijjar also visited hospitals in Hoshiarpur and Amritsar, respectively, to discuss security concerns and show support for the ongoing protests.
