Just days after the central government instructed all hospitals under its jurisdiction to review and enhance security by up to 25%, a resident doctor and a medical dresser at Dr. Hedgewar Hospital in Karkardooma were allegedly assaulted by a patient’s attendant late on Saturday night.
The incident occurred around 1 a.m., according to a report. The doctor, who preferred to remain anonymous, said he was attacked while administering critical care to a patient who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol.
“Late Saturday night, around 1am, a patient with a forehead injury was brought to the hospital. I took him to the dressing room to stitch the wound. After I finished the first stitch and was working on the second, the patient suddenly pushed me and began hurling abuses,” the doctor recounted.
The situation escalated when the patient’s son, who was waiting outside, entered the room, slapped the doctor, and joined in hurling further abuses.
This incident comes shortly after resident doctors nationwide resumed work on August 24, following an 11-day strike in response to the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. The strike had disrupted non-emergency services at major central and Delhi government hospitals. The strike ended after the Supreme Court intervened and the government assured that their demands, including improved workplace safety, would be addressed.
In response to rising concerns over the safety of medical professionals, the Supreme Court has set up a 10-member National Task Force to draft safety protocols for medics. The task force is expected to submit its interim report within three weeks and a final report in two months.
Government’s Response on Doctor Safety
On August 19, the Union Health Ministry authorized the deployment of Marshalls in central government hospitals to provide immediate security assistance. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra also announced a 25% increase in security personnel in these hospitals.
“In all central government hospitals, there will be a 25% increase in security staff. The deployment of Marshalls for immediate security assistance will also be approved based on specific demands,” Chandra stated.
The government had earlier introduced an ordinance in April 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to protect healthcare workers from attacks. Under this ordinance, assaulting medical professionals became punishable with up to seven years of imprisonment, though these provisions lapsed once the pandemic ended.
