BMIMS Pawapuri On-Duty Doctors assaulted twice in 3 days, Doctors On protest demanding action against culprits

Nalanda: In a shocking incidence of violence against medical professionals, two repeated assaults took place on the doctors at Bhagwan Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences (BMIMS), Pawapuri previously known as Vardhman Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS).

The first incident of assault on the doctors occurred on Saturday ie.  June 1st 2024 when the local hooligans allegedly attacked the on-duty senior and junior doctors over a patient who was brought in dead. Protesting against the incident, the doctors at the institute kept the Out Patient Department closed on Monday when the locals surrounded the area and attacked the doctors for a second time. 

Numerous localities gathered at the hospital and started throwing stones at the doctors. Due to this, around 10 doctors received several severe injuries. FIRs have been registered in connection with these incidents of assault. Altogether 3 people were arrested in this connection this morning, informed Dr. Sourav Kumar, the State Convener of Indian Medical Association Junior Doctors' Network (IMA JDN).

Dr. Kumar, who pursued his undergraduate medical education at BMIMS and is currently pursuing his postgraduation in another institute informed Medical Dialogues that even though 3 people have been arrested, nominal sections under the IPC have been applied to them. Therefore, they might get bail soon.

"We want investigations under the Medical Protection Act. Also, we want all the 400-500 people, who were involved in the incident, to be arrested," he said, adding that the doctors are continuing their protest.

Dr. Kumar informed that the initial ruckus took place on Saturday when a patient was brought to the hospital at noon. The patient was brought in dead. However, the doctors on duty conducted an ECG for confirmation. Thereafter, the attendants of the patient were informed that the patient was already dead. Accordingly, they were asked to take the patient back. 

Although initially they went back with the ECG confirmation, they came back with 40-50 people and started accusing the doctors of medical negligence. When the attendants started demanding death certificates, the on-duty resident doctors informed them that the death certificate is provided by the registrar and it is issued only when the patient gets admitted to the hospital and dies during treatment.

This led to an altercation and the patient's attendants started creating a ruckus. Following this, the on-duty senior doctors were brought from their chambers and the miscreants allegedly assaulted them severely. The on-duty PG doctors were also beaten badly.

"The college is away from the town, located in a rural area," said Dr Kumar, adding that "When they tried to run from the scene, the locals surrounded them from every side."

He informed that even though police were initially not registering the complaints because of the dominance of these locales, finally the FIR was lodged after the local doctors' association pressurized the officials. However, the investigation took a long time and the report was submitted only after two days.

"On Monday, protesting against the incident, the doctors kept the OPD closed. Following this, the locals started throwing stones at the doctors by surrounding them. Several doctors, around 10, were injured due to this," said Dr. Sourav Kumar.

He further informed that an emergency meeting was held yesterday and it was decided that if the culprits were not arrested soon, strict action would be taken in this connection. On Tuesday morning, police arrested 3 of the accused persons. However, the doctors are continuing their protest demanding strict action against the accused.

Meanwhile, the medical fraternity has extended its support and solidarity with the BMIMS doctors. Raising the issue, Health Activist, Dr. Dhruv Chauhan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "This is the condition of doctors in Bihar. In BMIMS Pawapuri, a Surgeon on duty , PGs, and interns on duty were assaulted by local hooligans over a patient who was brought in dead and till now no action is taken against assaulters. Safety of doctors is a joke here !"

He shared a video, possibly a CCTV footage of the incident, where around 40-50 local hooligans can be seen attacking the on-duty doctors. Responding to Dr. Chauhan's post, a user wrote, "Doctors and healthcare workers in India are not safe! The recent attack on doctors at BMIMS Pawapuri is not an isolated incident but part of a larger problem. Shockingly, 75% of doctors in India face violence at least once in their careers. This constant threat puts their lives at risk and hurts our healthcare system. When doctors fear for their safety, they cannot provide the best care, especially in areas that need it most. This violence must stop to ensure everyone gets the care they need. Authorities must act now. We need stricter laws to protect medical professionals and immediate punishment for those who attack them. Hospitals should improve security to create a safe environment for doctors. Protecting our doctors is crucial for a strong healthcare system. It's time to stand up and ensure their safety."

Sharing the photographs and videos of the incident, another user wrote, "Horrible scenes from BMIMS, #Pawapuri! Locals are pelting stones at doctors, even though in front of cops . Several doctors have been injured. Doctors need support now!"

Dr. Arun Kumar, the National General Secretary of United Doctors' Front Association (UDFA) shared the incident of stone pelting at the BMIMS doctors on Monday. He wrote on X, "Outrageous scenes from BMIMS, #Pawapuri. Doctors are being viciously attacked with stones by locals, even in the presence of police. Several doctors have been seriously injured.This brutality against our healthcare heroes is intolerable. Bihar government, your immediate action is crucial! Protect those who protect us. Demand justice and safety for our doctors now!"

Demanding immediate action in this connection, UDFA mentioned in a post, "This violence is unacceptable. Immediate action needed against the culprits."

"What is happening in #BIHAR ? Horrible scenes from BMIMS,#Pawapuri!! Locals are pelting stones at Doctors and that too when cops are there. Several doctors have been injured. Doctors need Support!" mentioned the X handle named the Indian Doctor.

Raising the issue, IMA JDN National mentioned in a Press Release, "Another case of assault happened with the resident doctor and associate professor of Bhagwan Mahavir Institute of Medical Sciences, Nalanda, Bihar. All the non emergency duties has been stopped by the resident doctors...IMA Junior Doctors Network condemns these incidents and demands strict action against the culprits."

Also Read: Violence in GMC Agartala Hospital! Duty doctor Assaulted, Abused by Attendants, 1 Arrested