Mob of 30 attacks Woman doctor, Nurses after patient, newborn death

Mumbai: Amidst rising violence against healthcare workers across the country, a troubling incident occurred at V N Desai Hospital in Santacruz East, where 27 assailants allegedly assaulted a female doctor and several nurses following the death of a mother and a newborn at the facility.  

As per a TOI news report, both the mother and her newborn died shortly after childbirth on Monday due to insufficient nutritional care during pregnancy. In response, the grieving family members and relatives, overwhelmed with anger, gathered at the hospital and assaulted the doctor and nursing staff, holding them responsible for the deaths of the mother and child.

The female doctor reported that one woman choked her while others attacked her on the face and hands—a nurse, who was also targeted during the incident, sustained injuries from a broken bangle. Furthermore, the group of attackers verbally and physically assaulted the medical superintendent.

Also read- Female doctor, ICU Staff at Rajawadi Hospital assaulted by patient's kin

Following this, the police have booked the accused individuals under Section 4 of the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act and the BNS sections for Assault or criminal force to deter public servants from discharge of his duty, unlawful assembly, and rioting. 

The incident took place after the female patient was admitted to the hospital six weeks prior in the emergency department on November 1 due to poor health. She had low haemoglobin levels due to poor nutritional care during her pregnancy. She delivered a baby through C-section on November 7 however the newborn showed no vital signs and was immediately transferred to the NICU. Even after proper medical care, the doctor alleged in her complaint that the newborn died on November 9 and the patient passed away on November 11. 

The FIR statement as reported by TOI mentioned, "The patient was admitted to V N Desai Hospital a month and a half ago. I, along with four other doctors, was providing treatment to her. We regularly informed the relatives about the child's health after birth, indicating that his condition was not improving. The family's consent was also obtained before performing the caesarean." 

Following their death, the relatives assembled outside the ICU at 1 pm, refusing to collect the deceased despite the completion of formalities. "Two women relatives of the deceased attacked a nurse when access to the ICU was restricted. When I intervened the relatives became violent, with one woman grabbing my throat whilst others struck on my face and hands. Although staff intervened to protect me, a nurse sustained injuries from a broken bangle. The relatives subsequently confronted the medical superintendent, subjecting him to verbal and physical abuse, disrupting hospital operations," she said in the FIR. 

Afterwards, the hospital staff refused to work demanding immediate action against the attackers. This prompted the police to take action and register a case based on the doctor's complaint. 

“We often face assaults, and the accused are let free. That’s why we’ve shut down the OPD and elective surgeries,” a hospital doctor told The Indian Express. However, after the police booked the 27 assailants, the doctors returned to work.  

Also read- Kundapur Govt Hospital Doctor on emergency duty verbally abused, threatened with death by patient's attendant