Kerala Horror: House surgeon stabbed to death with scissors by patient during treatment, doctors on strike
Kottayam: In a tragic incident, a female house surgeon Dr Vandana Das was brutally stabbed to death with scissors at a government hospital in Kerala's Kollam district allegedly by a prisoner who was brought to the facility for a medical examination by the Police.
Five others, including the policeman, sustained injuries during the incident. The doctor was immediately taken to a private hospital in Kottarakkara, where she died while undergoing treatment. The incident took place at the government taluk hospital in Kottarakkara, police said.
According to police, the incident took place at 4.30 am today when S Sandeep (42), out of the blue stabbed house surgeon, Dr Vandana Das (23) when she was dressing his wounds.
Sandeep, who is a school teacher, was taken into police custody from his house on Tuesday night after a brawl with his neighbours. He was brought to the government hospital by Police for a mandatory medical checkup when he turned violent. Having grabbed scissors from the dressing room, Sandeep, who was reportedly under treatment in a deaddiction centre, stabbed Vandana six times, causing injuries to her abdomen and back.
He also attacked others and vandalised the hospital. A home guard and a sub-inspector also sustained stab injuries, police said. The stab wounds were so deep that Vandana Das sustained an injury to her lungs, according to doctors at the private hospital where she was brought immediately after the incident.
Doctors Strike:
Aggrieved over the incident, the medical students, under the aegis of the House Surgeons Association, are currently on a protest raising slogans of 'Inquilab Zindabad'.
Furthermore, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has called for a total strike in the hospitals across the state to protest death of the woman doctor. According to the IMA, the strike, which will last until 8 am on Thursday, will not affect the intensive care units or emergency wings. The doctor later succumbed to stab injuries at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, where she was admitted this morning.
Few hours ago, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) protested across the state to draw the attention of state authorities against the case and seek justice for the deceased healthcare staff. PG doctors and students pursuing MBBS course were spotted protesting at the Government Medical College in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Ministers condemn attack:
Union Minister V Muraleedharan tweeted, "Shocked to learn about the brutal murder of Dr Vandana Das & attack on Hospital Staff in Kottarakkara. Atrocious that dreaded Criminals are cut loose, endangering the lives of Life Savers. Deeply concerned about the safety of Doctors & healthcare workers in Kerala."
"The apathy & callousness of @pinarayivijayan & the misgovernance of @CPIMKerala is tarnishing that image & bringing disrepute to the State. It's a disgrace that @pinarayivijayan Govt can't keep our Doctors Safe," the Union Minister posted.
Kerala Congress chief K Sudhakaran expressed shock at the incident and demanded that the ruling CPI(M) dismiss the "incompetent home minister". "A heinous act of violence claims the life of a promising young doctor, stabbed to death by a patient in police custody at a government hospital in Kerala," Sudhakaran tweeted.
"The alarming rise in attacks across the state is unacceptable. @cpimspeak must display political integrity and immediately dismiss the incompetent Home Minister responsible for this failure to ensure safety and dignity in the workplace," he added.
Health Minister draws flak over her remarks:
Reacting to the murder, the State Health Minister Veena George said that the doctor was a house surgeon, and she was new to the field. According to her, the assailant attacked her when she fell down in fear, as reported by Mathrubhumi.
However, the Minister received flak for her statement about Vandana’s inexperience, with most media reports highlighting the comment. Responding to this, Veena George said that it is unfortunate that even at a time when a woman has been brutally murdered, politicians and the media are trying to twist her statements to create a controversy. “People who know me will know that I am not someone who reacts insensitively about such a tragic incident,” she said, quoted The News Minute.
Kerala High Court shocked over the incident:
The Kerala High Court held a special sitting and while announcing the decision, a division Bench comprising Justice Devan Ramachandran and Justice Kauser Edappagath expressed shock at this incident and said, "If doctors can't be protected, shut down all hospitals."
The bench while slamming the police for failing in its duty to protect the young female doctor added "You have failed this girl. This is a case where you brought a man from your custody. The police should have maintained continuous vigilance."
The Court further observed that the perpetrator had exhibited abnormal behaviour when he was apprehended and the police should have been vigilant and should have anticipated such an incident.
"The moment he exhibited abnormal behaviour, the police should have intervened. Security systems should have taken steps which are fool proof. He should have been restrained. Policing is to understand and anticipate the unanticipated. We don't need you otherwise. Should it not be your first and foremost responsibility to ensure there is no violation of law?"
"What is the protocol for presenting accused before Magistrates? There are hundreds of accused produced before magistrates, even at night. Why is it that such protocols are not followed when presenting them before doctors? Are you saying doctors are not important? Because in our view they are. They turn the wheels of the justice system. This is why we are asking for the protocol followed in the other instance and we want the same to be followed with respect to doctors also."
Justice Ramachandran said "Leaving a patient of this nature alone with the doctor is a sure recipe for disaster. To say that the police will stand outside when he has been brought before a lady doctor is a recipe for disaster."
The Court while expressing its deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim said "Imagine the plight of the parents. They send their daughter to the hospital not to work but to serve and she is brought back in a coffin. The worst nightmare has happened today. Has this happened before in any other country or are we the first in this also?"
The Court has listed the matter for further consideration tomorrow. The State Police Chief has been asked to submit a report as well.
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