Jahangeer Ganaie
Jammu, Jul 16: In a deeply disturbing incident, a female doctor at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu was physically assaulted by the attendants of a patient following his death in the hospital’s emergency ward.
The patient, identified as Rajinder Kumar, had been suffering from a massive brain haemorrhage and was referred to GMC Jammu from PGI with a poor prognosis.
An official of GMC Jammu said that the patient was admitted to GMC Jammu five days ago, after being sent back from PGI with advice for basic medical and nursing care.
“Despite the patient’s terminal condition, doctors at GMC provided the best possible treatment. However, the patient succumbed to respiratory arrest on July 16,” he said.
In the aftermath of his death, the attendants turned violent, targeting the on-duty staff, including a lady doctor, who was kicked and beaten, the official said.
CCTV footage has captured the gruesome attack, clearly showing the physical assault.
The incident triggered outrage among the medical community. The GMC Jammu administration, faculty, and resident doctors have strongly condemned the violence.
The official said that an FIR has been lodged at the concerned police station against the persons involved.
“The repeated instances of violence against doctors are unacceptable. We stand in solidarity with our medical staff and demand strict legal action against the culprits,” reads a statement from the GMC administration.
In response to the assault, junior doctors went on a strike, demanding safety and accountability.
To ensure uninterrupted patient care, Principal and Dean Dr. Ashutosh Gupta issued an order directing all clinical and paraclinical Heads of Departments to ensure the deployment of faculty members and consultants in the emergency ward until the junior doctors return to duty.
The medical fraternity across the region has also expressed serious concern over the increasing incidents of violence against healthcare workers and called for stronger security measures at hospitals.
