Health minister expresses solidarity with Doctors by symbolically drawing blood from his finger
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ August 18,2024
Punjab’s Minister of Health, Family Welfare, and Medical Education, Dr. Balbir Singh, has affirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of medical professionals under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
During a visit to Government Rajindra Hospital, Dr. Singh met with doctors who were participating in the nationwide protest following the horrific rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor from Kolkata Medical College. Expressing deep condolences for the victim, Dr. Singh joined the protest by symbolically drawing blood from his finger and placing it on his apron, signifying his solidarity with the medical community.
Dr. Balbir Singh said that he would be addressing the Prime Minister and the Union Health Minister, urging them to convene a meeting of all state health ministers to discuss and implement stricter measures for the protection of medical professionals. He emphasized the need to enforce the resolution passed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in 2019, advocating for a new law that would make assaulting medical professionals a non-bailable offense with a minimum six-year prison sentence.
In line with Chief Minister Mann’s directives, Dr. Singh will hold an important meeting with the Punjab Civil Medical Services (PCMS) Doctors’ Association and the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Monday to discuss further steps. The Punjab government is determined to implement robust security measures to prevent any such tragic incidents involving healthcare workers in the future, he added.
Dr. Balbir Singh also called for severe punishment for those responsible for such heinous crimes, suggesting that swift and stringent action, including the death penalty, would send a strong message across the nation. He reassured medical students, doctors, and paramedics in Punjab that their safety remains a top priority for the government.
The Health Minister, himself a doctor, emphasized the need for a fear-free environment in healthcare, where doctors can treat patients with confidence. Reflecting on the tragedy in Kolkata, Dr. Balbir Singh expressed profound sympathy for the victim’s family.
Health minister expresses solidarity with Doctors by symbolically drawing blood from his finger. Also present at the event were Colonel J.V. Singh, Principal of Medical College Dr. Rajan Singla, Medical Superintendent Dr. Girish Sahni, Civil Surgeon Dr. Jatinder Kansal, Dr. RPS Sibia, Dr. SS Mann, along with junior and senior residents, and medical students.
