Kochi, Monday, July 19, 2010: The Kerala State Health Minister P.K Sreemathy told that the hospital-patient protection law would soon be implemented. Minister Sreemathy was speaking at the inauguration of a new block at the District General Hospital, the Minister said the department had taken the incidents that happened here last week very seriously and an enquiry would be conducted on this.
The unfortunate incident of an alcohol addict patient killing another patient and the violence against the hospital staff the next day had left the hospital staff and the authorities in a fix. The Minister said that when the hospital had enough number of nurses and other para-medical staff, the violent behaviour of the patient could have been brought to the notice of authorities sooner.
On bystanders assaulting doctors and other staff, the Minister said the public could not sit in judgement over medical personnel and take the law into their hands. There is a procedure to lodge a complaint if the services in the hospital are found wanting. The staff at the hospital submitted a memorandum to the Minister for seeking early passing of the hospital protection bill, citing the recent events at the hospital.

(News Agency)