The Rajya Sabha on Saturday passed the Epidemic Diseases Amendment Bill, 2020, to prevent offences against healthcare professionals, according to Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.
Speaking in the Upper House, the minister said, “Many healthcare workers including doctors, paramedics were insulted in some form or the other, due to stigma attached to COVID-19. The central government acted on this situation found that there was a need for a law, a prohibitory mechanism against such incidents.”
He said that the Centre had passed the Ordinance to make hurt of any nature or insulting the medical professionals a cognizable offence.
“By April 22, the Centre brought an ordinance and amended it and those who are causing hurt of any nature or insulting the medical professional it has been made a cognizable offence and punishments have been prescribed,” he added.
The Union…