Violence against doctors during Covid-۱۹ in Bangladesh: Alarming experiences and call grows for law for protection

Background: Doctors are at the frontline of Covid-۱۹ are exposed to hazards that put their lives at risk. They experience an unusual fear and anxiety on physical and mental health and concerns about transmitting the disease to family members. Also experience a constant sense of intense fear, stigma, harassment and violence when treating patients in facilities, fighting against unsafe working conditions and act of violence since the beginning of this pandemic. Covid-۱۹ caused highest death rate of doctors in Bangladesh, as published in different local media and international media, nearly ۲۰۰ doctors sacrificed their lives so far. However frightful incidences like violence, assaults and stigmatization and legal protection remains unaddressed. Objective: The study explores the scope of the problem, to respond and to prevent the occurrences, particularly addressing the legal protection issue. Methodology: A total of ۹۳ doctors working in three major public hospitals and one private Covid-dedicated hospitals in Dhaka city for at least six months were interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire during March to June ۲۰۲۱. Information was collected on incidences and types of assaults in the context of the Covid-۱۹ pandemic, action taken against attacker or protection was given to doctors by law. Key findings: Almost all doctors faced some kind of harassment, discrimination and physical assault, mostly in the work-place. More than ۶۴% percent faced verbal assaults or threats, ۳۷% were incidents of fear-based discrimination, ۰۹% involved physical assaults. In some sceneries, fear, panic, misinformation about how Covid can spread, and exploded misplaced anger towards doctors. ۸۰% of victims filed complaints to higher authority, and to law-enforcing agencies, hardly any action was taken. Authority was found reluctant to any effective responses or taking action against assailants, as there is no particular law or act against protection of doctors, rather consider it as emotional outburst from patient’s side. Discussion and recommendation: Information on violence during Covid-۱۹ period is still inadequate, figure reflects only the known cases, the actual figure is likely much higher. Media published a good number of incidents of attacks on doctors, beaten up while on duty, even brutally killed by the patient’s family member or. Unfortunately, there no particular law for the protection of doctors in Bangladesh, police may not even sure under which section to file such a case. Some Asian countries have taken significant steps by amending acts for the safety of health professionals against act of violence. There is an urgent need for a law in Bangladesh to protect doctors and to care for their wellbeing to prevent serious consequences for patients and a possible collapse in our health system as the country fights Covid-۱۹. A new law providing them safety against acts of violence can be the first step towards that goal.

Keywords:

Covid-۱۹ , doctors , law , protection , violence