Miscreants break Senior Cardiologist's nose for alleged delay in treatment, Kerala Doctors see red

Kozhikode: Following an attack on a Kozhikode-based senior cardiologist over the alleged delay in a pregnant woman's treatment, the Kozhikode chapter of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) boycotted OPD services and other services except for labour wards and casualty treatment on Monday.

The Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) also extended support to the protesting doctors of government hospitals in Kozhikode. The doctors have demanded the immediate arrest of the culprits.

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The victim has been identified as a senior cardiologist of a private hospital in Kozhikode city. The incident took place on Saturday night when a group of people accompanied a pregnant patient who got admitted to the facility, reports the daily. 

The patient was from Kunnamangalam and she had a high temperature when she was admitted to the city's Fathima Hospital on February 24. The doctors indicated that even though the patient underwent C-Section surgery, the baby could not be saved as her health condition was constantly deteriorating.

The gynaecologist who was responsible for her told The Hindu on Sunday that the doctors from all the departments were constantly monitoring her post-operation and her condition became better. She had a CT scan on Saturday as per the gastroenterologist's recommendation.

However, it took some time to prepare the scan reports. Meanwhile, the relatives of the patient started creating a ruckus in the hospital alleging that the patient lost the baby due to the medical negligence of the doctors and the hospital staff. They alleged that the CT scan reports were intentionally delayed to hide the lapses on part of the hospital.

 The doctors claimed that the husband of the patient and those who accompanied him stirred up a commotion inside the hospital by shouting accusations that the doctors were intentionally delaying the CT scan report. They broke the glass wall that separates the nurses' area.

Even though the doctors concerned left the scene, the group attacked the senior cardiologist's husband when he returned to the hospital. According to reports, the miscreants pushed the doctor and he fell. He sustained injuries, his nose broken and some teeth dislodged. All of these took place despite the presence of the police.

The patient's family alleged that even after giving birth and losing the baby, they needed to undergo a lot of trouble and they to endure unbearable pain. Additionally, they said that the hospital hid their errors by purposely delaying the findings of the CT scan.

Two of her relatives have already been arrested by the Nadakkavu police in connection with the incident. Name of six people have already been recorded in connection with the case. The attack on the senior doctor has been denounced by both the Interventional Cardiology Council of Kerala and the Cardiology Society of India's Kerala chapter as well. Demnanding the arrest of the miscreants, IMA Kozhikode doctors boycotted OPD work on Monday.