Guwahati: On Doctor’s Day, the poignant theme “Behind the Mask: Who Heals the Healers?” casts a spotlight on the mental health struggles of medical practitioners. In Assam, healthcare professionals are voicing an urgent call for robust support systems, particularly emphasizing the need for protection against physical attacks during their duty hours. While the theme underscores the mental and emotional hurdles doctors face, they assert that a secure work environment is crucial for their mental well-being. Medical organizations, including the Indian Medical Association (IMA), stress the importance of nurturing a supportive atmosphere, especially in light of the repeated incidents of violence against doctors in Assam’s rural areas over the years.Healthcare professionals are advocating for a central legislation to tackle violence, proposing a link between the Assam Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2011, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) provisions to ensure stringent punishment for offenders.“Doctors encounter numerous challenges in their professional lives. Almost every doctor experiences some form of violence or difficulty during their career, whether it’s physical violence, verbal abuse, or offensive language over the phone. These challenges create mental dilemmas that impact their professional skills and careers,” explained Dr Satyajit Borah, a respected senior doctor from Tezpur.He pointed out that doctors often work eight-hour shifts, sometimes extending late into the night. “They make significant sacrifices, while others in different professions of their age enjoy leisure. They also sacrifice family life and recreational activities. If society cannot ensure their well-being, it is truly unfortunate,” he said. “We have lost many colleagues prematurely due to acute myocardial infections, and suicides are not uncommon. Doctors are notoriously bad at being patients themselves, so their health is paramount. Society must also care for doctors to enable them to provide effective healthcare services,” Borah added, emphasizing the need for attention to both physical and mental well-being to maintain a healthy environment.Despite over 20 states having legislation against violence in healthcare establishments, its effectiveness is questioned by medical professionals. Borah, who led IMA’s Assam chapter during some of the state’s most severe assaults on doctors, insisted that medical organizations are pushing for centralized legislation to ensure nationwide consistency, a demand that should be met.IMA’s honorary state secretary, Dr Atul Kumar Kalita, called for strict enforcement of the state’s 2011 Act, which prescribes three-year imprisonment and fines up to Rs 50,000. “Recently, we’ve been advocating that all serious cases of violence against doctors should be expedited in fast-track courts. These cases should be linked to BNS, and investigating authorities need to be aware of this. Thorough investigation and trial can deter those who target doctors,” he said. Dr Arunima Goswami highlighted awareness as a critical issue. “In some areas, doctors work under pressure because many are unaware that if they are assaulted, the perpetrators can be arrested. Many people are also unaware of these provisions, leading to assaults on doctors and subsequent legal troubles,” she said. Recent notable incidents include the assault on Dr Seuj Kumar Senapati at Udali Covid Care Centre in Hojai district, which led to over 20 arrests. Previously, in 2019, Dr Deben Dutta tragically succumbed to injuries after being attacked with sharp weapons at Teok Tea Estate hospital in Jorhat district, an incident that sparked nationwide outrage.
