Soon, martial arts training to doctors and nurses

MP |7 May 2017 | Kolkata: With number of incidents of attack on doctors and hospital staff going up in recent past, the state Health department has come up with a unique plan to introduce martial arts training among the doctors and nurses in the government hospitals and medical colleges.

This will help the doctors and the staff members to protect themselves from the attacks that often take place at various state-run and private hospitals after patients die of alleged medical negligence. It was learnt that the state Health department may soon issue notifications to introduce martial arts in all the government-run medical colleges and hospitals in the city along with some others in the districts.

The decision was taken after the department had received an overwhelming response from the medical students at NRS Medical College and Hospital where taekwondo lessons were introduced a few months ago. 

Apart from learning the skills of self defence, it is also helping the junior doctors to reduce their mental stress and also instill discipline among them. The classes are conducted at the NRS Medical College and Hospital twice a week for two hours.

Frequent attacks on junior doctors at government hospitals due to alleged medical negligence have left the doctors anxious and this has an effect on the treatment of patients. The NRS Medical College authorities first introduced taekwondo among around 100 medical students. 

Taekwondo ace and overseas master Pradipta Kumar Roy was appointed for this venture at the hospital. The students and junior doctors who are attending the training sessions said that they were not only enjoying this as it helps in releasing stress but also enhances the mental strength of the doctors.

According to the experts, in the field of martial arts, training is a regular phenomenon in many educational institutions in many countries across the globe. Taekwondo helps in building up ones character and also helps in teaching self control and discipline. It was learnt the premier medical institution like All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) may soon start Taekwondo lessons.

A senior Health department official said that the NRS model will soon be introduced in other medical colleges and hospitals as well. The lesson on martial arts will give some sense of security to the junior doctors and nurses at the hospitals who are vulnerable to physical assaults.