Assault on doctor at city hospital reignites safety concerns
New Delhi, August 25
Just days after resident doctors across the nation called off their strike following assurances from the Supreme Court, a new incident of violence rocked Dr Hedgewar Hospital in Karkardooma here.
‘Act swiftly’
The safety of our medical staff must be a priority. We urge the authorities to act swiftly to prevent future incidents and ensure that hospitals remain safe spaces for both patients and healthcare
providers alike. — RDA President, Dr Hedgewar Hospital
On August 25, a resident doctor and a dresser were attacked by a patient’s attendant while they were providing critical care, sparking fresh outrage among hospital staff.
The incident occurred when a Junior Resident (JR) from the surgery department was performing a suturing procedure on a patient. The patient’s attendant, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, began abusing and threatening the doctor before physically assaulting him. The attack has left the medical community questioning the safety of healthcare professionals, who continue to face abuse and violence despite their dedication to providing timely and high-quality care.
“The attendant began abusing and threatening the doctor with dire consequences,” the President of the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) at Dr Hedgewar Hospital said.
“The situation quickly escalated from verbal abuse to physical violence,” he added, highlighting the growing threat to doctors working in increasingly hostile environments.
The Tribune reached out to the victim doctor for comment, but he declined to speak on the matter.
Despite the severity of the incident, official action has been limited. The on-duty Chief Medical Officer has been instructed to file an institutional FIR, but no further steps have been taken as of now.
This latest assault has intensified calls for stronger legal protections and swift punitive measures against those who perpetrate violence against medical professionals.
“The safety of our medical staff must be a priority,” the RDA President emphasised. “We urge the authorities to act swiftly to prevent future incidents and ensure that hospitals remain safe spaces for both patients and healthcare providers alike,” he added.
