Puducherry Shocker: Ophthalmology Resident doctor brutally attacked with knife, sustains severe neck injury, 18 sutures

Puducherry: In a gruesome incident, a resident doctor of the ophthalmology department of Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Post Graduate Institute (IGGGHPGI) was brutally attacked by a knife giving him severe neck injury and 18 sutures. The incident took place on Monday when the accused, in an inebriated state, slashed the resident doctor's neck.

After the attack, the duty doctors at the Puducherry Hospital initiated a strike demanding security for the healthcare workers. Their strike was supported by various medical associations, including the Pondicherry Government Medical Officer Association and the Indian Medical Association (IMA). Lok Sabha member V Vaithilingam and MLA G Nehru also intervened.

Later, the strike was withdrawn after the accused was arrested under Sections 324 and 506(ii) of IPC and the doctors were assured that the security for the hospital staff would be bolstered. However, the Medical officers of Villianur PHC and Yanam GH continued their protests demanding enhanced security, reports TNIE.

The 31-year-old concerned doctor, enrolled in a postgraduate medical course in Ophthalmology at the medical institute, hails from Tamil Nadu and he is doing his three months of District Residency Program (DRP) at the IGGGHPGI. Sources informed the TNIE that the victim Dr Kumar suffered a deep neck laceration requiring 18 sutures. He also incurred a marginal mandibular nerve injury. However, hospital authorities informed that since the cut was just two inches above the carotid artery, the doctor escaped a potentially fatal injury. The doctor was allegedly standing near the casualty entrance waiting for food delivery when he suffered the unprovoked attack.

Also Read: Ahmedabad hospital vandalized, Two doctors assaulted after death of patient

As per the latest media report by The New Indian Express, the assailant is the father of a patient, who was admitted to the hospital for a two-wheeler accident. The accused was allegedly in an inebriated condition at the time of the attack. The 39-year-old man is an autorickshaw driver from Boomianpet, Puducherry. 

The Daily adds that the accused was creating a ruckus in the hospital after his son and two other boys aged between 12 and 14 were admitted to the hospital after they suffered injuries in the head and other places in a two-wheeler accident on Monday. While one of the three boys died of the injuries, the other two boys were being treated at the trauma care unit of the hospital. The accused was causing trouble to the hospital staff by entering the ward and disturbing the treatment. He went to the casualty gate at around 8.30 pm and assaulted the doctor.

Meanwhile, addressing the concerns regarding the need for better security for healthcare workers and the challenges regulating the entry of patients' attendants on hospital premises, the Director of Health Dr. G Sriramulu informed the Daily that on Sunday, three people, who were under the influence of some substance, entered the hospital and abused women and staff. They had to be sedated and then were discharged the next day. He also mentioned that a big group of patients' relatives enter the hospitals along with patients. Recently around 50 persons came along with a patient, he informed.

Dr. Sriramulu further informed that after discussions between health officials, police authorities, and medical representatives, steps are under consideration to enhance security, including the deployment of armed police personnel on hospital premises. He also informed that the authorities are considering restricting the entry of attendants to ensure the safety and well-being of medical personnel.

Also Read: No safety for Doctors: Patient's drunk kin enter RGSSH Doctor's duty room, creates ruckus