National Task Force Report on Healthcare Professionals

• The National Task Force (NTF) report in the Supreme Court suggests no need for a separate Central law to protect healthcare professionals.

• The NTF argues that states have sufficient laws to protect healthcare professionals.

• The report also suggests that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, can handle serious offences against doctors and medical staff.

• The report also notes that 24 states have already enacted laws to address violence against healthcare professionals.

• Most state laws cover minor offences and prescribe punishment, while BNS adequately covers major offences/heinous offences.