Attack on female doctor on COVID duty punishable up to five years: Sudhakar

Bengaluru: Attack on a female doctor, who was on COVID-19 duty is a punishable offense in which the perpetrators could be given a prison sentence of five years, said Health Minister K Sudhakar.

A female doctor on COVID-19 duty at the hospital in Ballari was attacked by a COVID patient’s family who blamed her for their patient’s death.

Addressing presspersons after a meeting with experts to review the mucormycosis situation in the state, Sudhakar said, “Attack on the women employees who are on Covid duty is not acceptable. Health warriors are doing selfless service risking their lives. It is punishable up to five years imprisonment if they are attacked. The government will consider this offense seriously.”

The minister informed that the state has recruited 1,763 doctors and general practitioners to strengthen the health sector.

“A notification has been issued regarding direct recruitment of 1,763 doctors, 715 experts, 75 general medicine, 57 general surgeons, 145 gynecologists, 40 ENT specialists, 35 dermatologists, 142 anesthesiologists, 153 pediatricians, 17 radiologists are being recruited. 1,048 general medical practitioners also being recruited. This will strengthen the health sector,” said Sudhakar.

“North Karnataka is facing a shortage of doctors and this move will solve this issue. Gadag, Hubballi, Belagavi, Raichur, and other districts will be given priority. I congratulate the Chief Minister for this measure,” he added.