Steering Committee on legislation regarding violence in hospitals has recommended same law for public and private sector hospitals in the proposed draft. Advisor to CM on Health Hanif Khan Pitafi chaired the meeting. The committee noted that violence against healthcare providers compromises the quality of care and puts healthcare provision at risk. “Violence against healthcare providers was increasing and resultantly it applies negative impacts on the psychological and moral wellbeing of healthcare staff”, said the representatives from Medical Community. “Hospitals should be free of violence and mess. Brain storming on proposed bill regarding ‘Violence in Hospital and Protection of Rights of Patients and Healthcare Workers In Hospitals’ would be completed till next week”, said the Advisor Health. He reiterated that the proposed bill would not only prevent the defamation of medical staff but also defend the rights of patients as well. During the meeting some members suggested that in place of separate legislation why the provisions of proposed anti-violence bill might not be included in existing Healthcare Commission Act besides private hospitals should not be included in proposed act. However, the steering committee rejected the proposal and said that there was no separate law for private and public sector in any country of the world. “Without confirmation of any incidents defaming of hospital staff is like character assassination. The objective of proposed act was to provide peaceful environment to doctors and hospital”, said Mr. Pitafi. “A provision of security of public property was also included in the proposed bill. We have to make hospitals violence free and centre of excellence” pledged the Advisor to CM.
