In response to the growing number of violent incidents targeting healthcare professionals, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has rolled out a new national reporting system to document and monitor cases of assault against doctors across India.
The system, launched from IMA headquarters in New Delhi, operates through a Google Form that allows doctors anywhere in the country to confidentially report incidents of physical or verbal abuse directed at themselves or their colleagues. Each submission feeds into a central database that aims to create a real-time registry of violence against medical personnel and healthcare establishments.
According to the IMA, the goal is to use this data-driven approach to advocate for a Central Law to prevent violence against doctors, an issue that has long plagued the healthcare community. The initiative has already drawn strong support from several state chapters, including Jharkhand, where senior members have hailed it as a much-needed step toward transparency and accountability.
Dr. D. Tiwari, a senior IMA member from Jharkhand, pointed out that many incidents from smaller towns and rural areas never reach state or national authorities. “Now, every case will be visible to the central body immediately, ensuring that no report is lost in bureaucracy,” he said.
Echoing this sentiment, Dr. Ajoy Kumar Singh, the IMA state coordinator from Ranchi, said the new platform “effectively leverages technology to strengthen reporting systems” and would allow the national body to press both state and central governments for swift action and justice.
From Jamshedpur, Dr. A.K. Lal, vice-president of the IMA Kolhan Division, noted that the national association often receives delayed or incomplete updates from remote regions. “With this online link, information will flow instantly, enabling faster coordination and response,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Gauri Shankar, secretary of the IMA Deoghar Chapter, commended the move for promoting nationwide awareness. “This registry connects the entire medical fraternity. Every doctor, no matter how far away, will know when and where such incidents occur,” he said.
The IMA’s new initiative marks a significant shift toward a structured, technology-driven system of accountability one that aims to protect doctors and ensure that violence against them never goes unnoticed again.