Tragic Suicide of Dr. Archana Sharma
Dr Archana Sharma died by suicide on Tuesday due to alleged harassment after police filed an FIR against her under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code at Lalsot Police Station in Dausa in connection with the death of a pregnant woman at her hospital.
World Medical Association’s Letter
World Medical Association writes a Letter to Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, on the unfortunate death of Dr Archana Sharma. They mentioned in the letter to provide a legal environment and law enforcement that allows health professionals to do the best they can for their patients, without being under threat of violence or persecution.
In the letter they mentioned, “We see with great concern the high number of attacks on health professionals in your country, we are even more shocked about the fact that in the recent case law-enforcement officers have been involved. On this background we support the Indian Medical Association, our Indian Colleagues, in their request to the Indian government to enact unambigous and effective lawful means to stop the attacks on physicians and other health personnel. It must be clear that any treatment outcome that is detremental or fatal must first be properly and professionally examined before conclusions about civil and criminal liability can be made. Utmost attention must be given to an unbiased, scientific correct process in dealing with unwanted treatement outcomes.”
Appeal for Fair and Unbiased Process
“Countering non-negligent treatment errors with prosecution in the first place is not only unjust, but will also have grave consequences for the treatment of the population as it will lead to risk-avoiding, defensive medicine und as such to reduced treatment options for seriously ill or endangered patient,” they further wrote.
World Medical Association’s Letter to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji on the unfortunate death of Dr Archana Sharma. pic.twitter.com/tpnC7SsRZx
— Indian Medical Association (@IMAIndiaOrg) April 8, 2022
Government’s Response
According to an official release, Gehlot has directed the officials to remove Dausa Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar, suspended SHO of Lalsot Police Station Ankesh Kumar and put deputy Superintendent of Police Lalsot Shankar Lal under awaiting posting orders. Divisional Commissioner Jaipur Dinesh Kumar Yadav will conduct an administrative inquiry into the matter.
Gehlot gave the instructions in a high-level meeting at his residence on Wednesday evening.
Action Against Those Responsible
It was decided in the meeting that strict action should be taken against those who abetted the woman to commit suicide by registering a case, a release said.