Jammu: In yet another incident of medical practitioners being assaulted, a female doctor was attacked at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Jammu after a patient passed away during treatment. The attack took place inside the hospital’s emergency ward and was captured on CCTV, which has since gone viral.
The assault took place just moments after the patient was declared dead. Emotions were running high when the patient’s agitated relatives stormed into the emergency ward, confronting the hospital staff. The heated exchange rapidly escalated to physical assault, with one woman punching, kicking, and pushing the female doctor in the abdomen, as seen in the footage. The video further shows the doctor attempting to retreat.
While other staff members intervened, it was only after the security stepped in did the situation could be brought under control. The assaulted doctor was reportedly part of the medical team that was treating the patient.
Police have registered a case and efforts are underway to identify and arrest those involved in the assault. Furthermore, the hospital authorities have also increased security on the Medical College premises. An internal inquiry is also reportedly underway.
Doctors demand strict action against assaulters
The incident has sparked widespread outrage in the medical community. The Jammu chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) condemned the attack and announced a symbolic protest. Doctors have urged the government to take swift and strict action against the perpetrators and tougher laws to protect healthcare professionals from such attacks.
Voicing concerns over the rising number of assaults on doctors becoming alarmingly frequent, the healthcare professionals say that the issue goes beyond this one incident. Attacks like these not only threaten doctors’ safety but also compromise patient care, they averred.
The doctors have urged the government to fast-track the Healthcare Service Personnel and Clinical Establishments (Prohibition of Violence and Damage to Property) Bill to ensure stricter legal safeguards.
Senior officials have assured that strong legal action will be taken against those responsible.
