Violence and Discrimination against Health Care Professionals in India during COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr. Reeta Devi; Dr. Mongjam Meghachandra Singh

Volume : IX, Issue : V, May - 2020

Violence and Discrimination against Health Care Professionals in India during COVID-19 Pandemic

Dr. Reeta Devi, Dr. Mongjam Meghachandra Singh

Abstract :

Doctors and other health care professionals in India have been increasingly targeted for physical, verbal abuse, sexist remarks, stigma and discrimination during their duty and at home in the pandemic of Covid–19. Incidents have been reported regarding stone pelting of health staff, eviction of doctors from their residences by co–residents of the building and considering doctors as dirty and from fear of infection. Instances of health care staff affected by SARS–CoV–2 virus have been reported due to lack of personal protective equipments. The study reports the plight of the healthcare professionals in dealing with Covid–19 pandemic. Preventive measures suggested include strict law implementation, provision of police in health care settings, public awareness campaigns on Covid–19 and behavior change of the public towards health care professionals.