COVID: Safety, dignity of doctors non-negotiable, says Amit Shah amid attacks on health workers

Shah along with Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday interacted with doctors and representatives of the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

Following the meeting, Shah on Twitter said, "The way our doctors are performing their duties in these testing times is exceptional. I urge every Indian to cooperate with doctors in this fight against COVID-19."

He said in a separate tweet, "Safety and dignity of our doctors at their work place is non-negotiable. It is our collective responsibility to ensure conducive atmosphere for them at all times. I have assured doctors that Modi govt is committed to their cause and appealed to reconsider their proposed protest."

Following the interaction, the IMA has withdrawn the symbolic "white alert" protest which was scheduled to be held on Wednesday.

In the backdrop of the attacks on doctors and health workers, the IMA had planned to light candles as a mark of protest.

Ever since the outbreak of the deadly COVID-19, several health workers were assaulted, heckled and even denied to enter their houses by people in their localities projecting a sorrow picture in the country of 1.3 billion people.

In one of the latest instances, a team of doctors and medical staffers was attacked in Uttar Pradesh's Moradabad town when they were visiting the area to escort the primary contacts of a COVID-19 positive patient, who died, to a quarantine facility on Apr 15.

In a mega stimulus package which was unveiled by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the last week of March, an announcement of a health insurance worth Rs. 50 lakh for all health workers for three months was made. 

(Image Credit: Amit Shah Twitter)