A long term solution to the increasing problem of attacks on health workers and vandalism at hospitals demands a consistent efforts of all sides: the government, the hospitals, the doctors and health workers and the public as a whole. The short term solutions, while essential, should not distract us from the need to engage in long term measures. And in that, we also do have active roles to play.
Doctors being beaten and manhandled is a symptom of very deep malaise in the society and this is exacerbated by eternal political transition without law and order that we are going through. In short term it is mandatory to have security arrangements like Health Worker and Institutions Security Act. Protests and lobbying for that is more than welcome.
Few factors pertinent to latest wave of such incidents:
1) The omnipresent sense of impunity is behind much of the violence taking place of late. The prevalent concept is that vandalizing property or manhandling a health worker is the surest way of securing good amount as 'compensation' instead of the punishment that they deserve.
2) The public attention and media glare these incidents invite is another factor: particularly for jobless vigilantes who are otherwise faceless.
3) The expectation that, after paying money, any illness should be cured by the hospital regardless of severity or nature. Also the perception that every doctor should shape the outcome of an illness, just like a carpenter does with a wooden log.
