3 doctors of Nair Hospital attacked, hospital vandalised by kin of deceased patient
After the attack, the doctors and staff filed a complaint with Agripada police station who filed an FIR against the perpetrators and arrested one of the accused
In yet another instance of violence against medical practitioners, three resident doctors at Mumbai’s Nair Hospital were allegedly abused and attacked on Sunday by the kin of a patient who died at the hospital.
According to officials, the incident took place in the evening after the patient, Rajkishore Dixit (50), who was critically ill, died during treatment.
“As the resident doctors declared the patient dead, 13 to 15 of his relatives stormed into the ward number 23 where he was admitted, and started abusing the doctors. They attacked the doctors and the security guard as well,” an official was quoted as saying.
While Dr. Gaurav Gunjan was slapped, Dr. Dipali Patil and Dr. Moiz Vora were manhandled, Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) said in a statement.
The relatives also allegedly attacked security guards at the hospital and vandalised property in a fit of rage.
The injured doctors and the staff then alerted their seniors about the incident, following which they approached Agripada police station.
Based on their complaint, an offence under section 353, 332, 504, 34 of the IPC and relevant sections of the Maharashtra Medical Practitioners’ Act was registered against the attackers.
As of Monday morning, one man has been arrested while two women, who are also named in the FIR, are yet to be arrested.
Meanwhile, MARD condemned the attack and sought government intervention. “We, the medical fraternity, are under tremendous mental stress due to the increasing assault and violence against us,” it said in a statement.
“We urge the deaf government to hear our plea and make a strict Central Protection Act for doctors. We demand that the state government makes necessary changes in the existing. Doctors Protection Act and make solid norms against mob lynching,” it added.
“At the college administration level, security audits, pass system and emergency alarm system should be made effective promptly and urgently,” it said.
The incident comes over a month after nationwide protests were held demanding enhanced security for doctors after a junior doctor was attacked by the kin of a patient admitted in a hospital in Kolkata.
