Batinda: Medical Officer on emergency duty manhandled by patient's kin

Bathinda: In an alleged case of violence against a medical professional, a medical officer who was on duty in the emergency department of District Hospital, Barnala, was allegedly abused and manhandled by the patient's kin on Monday night. 

The doctor claimed that the attendants of the patient who was brought to the hospital's emergency department asked him to personally conduct the CT scan test for the patient. While on their way to the laboratory, they allegedly misbehaved and physically assaulted him. However, the reason behind the attack is unclear.

Condemning the attack on the on-duty doctor, the doctors affiliated with the Punjab Civil Medical Services Association (PCMSA), Barnala staged a sit-in demonstration at the hospital grounds, resulting in the temporary suspension of out-patient department (OPD) services on Tuesday.

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Demanding immediate arrest of the attackers, the association threatened that the hospital's OPD services would remain suspended until the culprits responsible were caught and legal action was taken against them. 

In response to the protest, the police registered a case against three people under Sections 323 (voluntarily causing hurt),186 (voluntarily obstruct a public servant in the discharge of his public functions), 353 (whoever assaults or uses criminal force to any person being a public servant in the execution of his duty), 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code and section 4 of The Punjab Protection of Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Services Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property). 

As per HT news report, the incident took place on Monday night at the hospital's emergency department involving three attendants who brought a patient in at approximately 10.25 pm. The doctor on duty requested that they have the patient's CT scan test conducted at the hospital's private lab. However, the patient's relatives insisted that the doctor personally perform the tests.

After agreeing to perform the test on the patient, the doctor who had been targeted accompanied them to the laboratory. While on their way, the attendants subjected him to verbal and physical abuse. Witnessing the incident, the hospital's support staff quickly intervened and effectively saved him from the assault.

Subsequently, the doctor filed a complaint at the police station. Based on the FIR, an investigation has started into the case. Meanwhile, the accused are yet to be apprehended if found guilty of attacking the doctor. 

Emphasizing the importance of safeguarding doctors while they are performing their duties at healthcare facilities, PCMSA has called for immediate action to address the assault on the doctor.

Speaking to the Daily, PCMSA state senior vice-president Dr Kanwaljit Bajwa said, “This incident sheds light on the challenging working conditions faced by the medical professionals and underscores the need for increased security arrangements at the public healthcare facilities in the state. The PCMSA expects a swift resolution to this pressing issue so as to provide seamless, uninterrupted services to the community.”

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