Goa Medical College resident doctor assaulted by two women, Doctors association demands action

Panaji: In yet another case of violence against medical professionals, a 25-year-old on-duty doctor at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Bambolim became the subject of alleged abuse and physical assault by two women over the treatment of their patient.  

According to the doctor's complaint, he was on duty in the medicine ward when the accused abused him and pulled his shirt and hand, while another unknown accused removed her slippers and made gestures to hit the complainant obstructing him while he was discharging his lawful duties, news agency IANS reported.

In response to the complaint, the police registered a case against the two women under sections 504 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), 352 (assault or criminal force otherwise than on grave provocation), 186 (obstructing public servant in the discharge of his duty), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty read with 34 (common intention) of Indian Penal Code (IPC).  

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The incident took place on May 22 between 7 pm and 9.30 pm after the two women approached the doctor regarding the treatment of their patient while he was making rounds in the ward. The patient is reported to be the father of one of the attackers and the other woman is unidentified. The communication soon turned into a heated argument leading the daughter and the other woman to use foul language and manhandling the doctor. 

Although the reason why the accused abused the doctor is unknown, the Agassaim police suspect that the assault on the doctor occurred due to a lack of communication regarding the patient's treatment.   

“The women confronted the doctors asking what medication was given to the patient as there were certain problems. One of them pulled his shirt and hand, and another gestured to hit him with slippers. A complaint was subsequently filed and registered,” the police told The Goan.

However, the complainant doctor claimed that he had clearly stated to the patient's attendants that he was an emergency medicine doctor, not the doctor who was treating the patient. As a result, he asked them to contact the treating doctor if they had any concerns.

The police are currently investigating the case and asked the daughter of the patient to appear for questioning through a notice.

Reaction from the Medical Fraternity 

Meanwhile, the medical community has expressed strong criticism following the incident, calling for action to be taken against the perpetrators to seek justice for the doctor who was allegedly assaulted. 

Condemning the attack on the doctor, Goa Association of Resident Doctors (GARD) president Dr Frazer Rodrigues said, “We support Dr Prabhudesai. He has already filed a complaint and an inquiry is on. There should be no violence against doctors because we are doing our duty. Such assault will affect the medical care of other patients.”

Demanding strong legal action against the culprits as per the Goa Medicare Service Personnel and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act 2013, Indian Medical Association (IMA) Goa State president Dr Sandesh Chodankar told Herald Goa, "If we want that medical practitioners should do justice to their patients without any fear of physical violence and abuse from patients or their relatives, the Act has to be implemented in spirit and action."

Similarly, IMA Goa State former president Dr Shekhar Salkar and IMA Goa State Medicolegal Cell chairman Dr Shailesh Kamat have called for the application of the Goa Medicare Services Act 2013 in the case so the accused gets appropriate punishment for assaulting the doctor. 

“We strongly feel that the culprits should be arrested immediately and sent behind bars and apply Section 4 and 5 of the Goa Medicare Services Act 2013," said Dr Shekhar Salkar. 

"As per the Act, any person, group of persons or organisation commits or attempts to commit or abets or incites the commission of violence, is cognisable and non-bailable. The punishment for the offence is three years imprisonment or a fine of Rs 50,000. Registering the case under Sections of IPC like 504, 352, 186 and 353 was sheer negligence on the part of the police and highly condemnable and defeats the very purpose of the Goa Medicare Service Personnel and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act 2013," added Dr Shailesh Kamat.

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