<span style="color: #222222;"><br />''<br />''President Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent for promulgation of the Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897. The ordinance provides for making acts of violence cognizable and non-bailable offences. It also has provision for compensation in cases of injury to healthcare service professionals or damage to their property. The Union Cabinet had approved the ordinance on this matter yesterday taking cognizance of few recent instances of attacks on health care personnel.<br />''<br />''AIR correspondent reports, government's swift response to any situation has been established once again. Just after a day Home Minister Amit Shah assured healthcare professionals for their safety and security amidst attacks on them by few uninformed anti-social elements, the government promulgated this ordinance. Barring few instances, people at large are seen fully cooperating with the medical professionals but stringent provisions were needed to uphold the morale of the covid warriors. The government in order to ensure involvement of maximum doctors, nurses and paramedics has widened the net of those getting covered under these provisions by allowing State Governments to include other health care professionals involved in tackling COVID-19. </span><br />''<br />''The amendment also makes a provision of imprisonment for up to seven years and fine of up to two lakh rupees in cases of violence and damage. Government also announced a package of fifteen thousand crore rupees ensuring availability of medical aid and health care facility for everyone.<br />''<br />''<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Speaking exclusively to AIR News over the ordinance Indian Medical Association President Dr. Rajan Sharma hailed government's swift and timely efforts to ensure safety and security of the health professionals who are tirelessly working to safeguard people's life.</span>