Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Legislative Assembly has passed an amendment bill providing for stern action in cases of attacks on hospitals and all categories of health workers, ranging from doctors to cleaners, working there.

The assembly unanimously passed the Kerala Health Care Service Workers and Healthcare Services Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Destruction of Property) Amendment Bill introduced by Minister Veena George. This will come into force once the rules of the bill are framed.

Now the definition of health workers includes all the categories like doctors, nurses, office employees, security staff, and medical and nursing students.

The law was introduced during the tenure of the Oommen Chandy government in 2012. The government has now decided to amend the Act with strict conditions following the brutal stabbing death of Dr Vandana Das at Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital.

The ordinance was introduced as a bill. The provision in the bill, which provides for imprisonment of up to three months and a fine of Rs 10,000 for uttering any words intended to defame or degrade health workers, has been dropped to avoid misuse of any kind.

UDF members A P Anil Kumar, P K Basheer, and K K Rema had made this a dissent note in the subject committee. The provision was dropped after the minister accepted their opinion that there would be attempts to implicate patients, bystanders, and public servants who deal with the health sector over trivial matters.

Provisions of the Bill

• Anyone found guilty of committing, attempting, or abetting violence will be punished with imprisonment ranging from six months to five years and a fine ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh.
• Grievous bodily harm will attract a jail term ranging from one year to seven years and a fine ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh.
• If there is an attack on hospitals and health workers, an officer not below the rank of inspector should investigate.
• The investigation should be completed within 60 days from the date of registration of the FIR.
• Efforts should be made to complete the trial proceedings within a year. Though the court has the power to extend the term, it should not be more than six months.
• A sessions court will be appointed as a special court in each district.
• A special prosecutor will be appointed for each special court.