Telangana Doctor Attacked & Suspended! Medical Fraternity Boycott Duties Demanding Suspension Revocation, Action Against Culprits

Hyderabad: The medical fraternity in Telangana is vehemently opposing the recent incident of violence against doctors at Korutla Area Hospital, demanding immediate action against the culprits who attacked the medical personnel and vandalized the hospital on Sunday night. 

Doctors are also upset over the fact that after being assaulted by the relatives of a patient, who was declared dead, the doctor was also suspended by the Commissionerate of Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad.

Protesting against the incident, the senior doctors across all government medical colleges boycotted their regular medical duties for an hour on Wednesday. Their demands included immediate revocation of suspension of the Civil Assistant Surgeon (CAS), Dr. Sharvan Kumar, who was posted as a duty doctor at Korutla Area Hospital. The hospital staff suspended services on Monday and wore black badges to mark their protest. 

Dr. Kumar, along with some of the medical staff were attacked by family and friends of a 44-year-old patient, who was suffering from severe health issues due to extreme heat. After being rushed to the hospital, the patient was declared dead. This triggered widespread protests from the locals and family members of the deceased.

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Telangana Today has reported that the TVVP Commissioner suspended Dr. Kumar on Tuesday for alleged medical negligence in extending timely medical services to the concerned patient admitted with severe sunstroke. 

Telangana Teaching Government Doctors Association (TTGDA) Ramagundam held Black badge protests at GGH Ramagundam to revoke suspension orders on the doctor and also to condemn the attack on doctors. A Black Badge protest was also held at GMC Nalgonda.

However, the Healthcare Reforms Doctors' Association (HRDA) withdrew its plans to hold a rally at Osmania Medical College and relay hunger strike. Telangana Today has reported that commenting on the matter, HRDA said, "Due to election code, we did not get permission for a rally and relay hunger strike. However, we will continue to protest."

As per the latest media report by Deccan Chronicle, after the culprits assaulted the doctor and medical staff and vandalised the hospital property, the staff filed a complaint with the local police. On Monday, Korutla Government Hospital staff suspended services and held a protest wearing black badges, demanding immediate action against the culprits. Meanwhile, the doctor who was attacked is recovering from the injuries.

Recently a delegation from the Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA) Karimnagar unit visited the hospital to meet the Dr. Sravan and express solidarity with him. 

Issuing a Press Notice, HRDA mentioned, "In view of the recent incident that occurred at Area Hospital Korutla i.e. Mob attack on duty Doctor Dr. Shravan Kumar, CAS, HRDA strongly condemn the assault on doctor and oppose the action of the culprits. Its inhumane and immoral to attack doctors, medical staff and destroy the public property. The mob not only attacked the doctor but also tried to kill him by throwing Petrol. While police tried to rescue the doctor and staff the Culprits were trying to hit and throw the Autorickshaw."

"Inspite of all agony that Dr. Sharavan Kumar has undergone, he was suspended by the Commissionerate of Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad. As a solidarity to Dr Shravan Kumar, HRDA requests all the doctors to wear black badges for a week where ever they are working either in Government or Private sector. We also demand the Commissioner of Telangana Vaidya Vidhana Parishad to revoke the suspension. We also demand the Government of Telangana to take legal action on those Culprits so that such assaults will not occur in near future," the release further mentioned.

The Indian Medical Association, Telangana has also extended its solidarity and it mentioned in a release, "IMA State body under the leadership of Dr. Kali Prasad Rao strongly condemn the suspension of Dr. Shravan Kumar, Civil Asst. Surgeon of Area Hospital, Korutla. IMA is demanding revoking of suspension and reinstating the doctor immediately. IMA demands action against the culprits who attacked the doctor, paramedical staff, and damaged the hospital."

"IMA supports Govt. doctors Association and works with them to revoke suspension of Dr. Shravan Kumar," IMA further mentioned.

Meanwhile, Deccan Chronicle has reported that DSP Uma Maheswara Rao and Korutla circle inspector Suresh Babu spoke with the agitators at the hospital and assured them of action. However, no first information report (FIR) was filed immediately. This ultimately provoked outrage among the medical community.

Protesting against the incident, doctors' organisations have announced a 'Chalo Kortutla' march on May 8 to put pressure on the authorities into taking action against the culprits and ensure safety of working doctors.

Commenting on the incident, Dr. Sri Harsha, the President of Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA), told the media on behalf of the association, "Telangana Junior Doctors Association strongly condemns the brutal attack on doctors and hospital staff in Korutla Government Hospital. Doctors always try to save patients' lives. Intimidation and physical assault of such doctors by patient attendants is totally unacceptable. Demand T-Juda government to take immediate action against all those responsible for assaulting doctors at Korutla Govt Hospital."

"The Telangana Nurses Association (TNA) strongly condemns the attack of the patient's relatives and attempted murder by pouring diesel on the doctors and medical staff at Nadu Korutla Government Hospital as a heinous act. We demand that a case be filed, arrested and legal action taken against the agitators who destroyed furniture and created a fearful atmosphere in the hospital. (Act 11-2008 of A.P. Gazette published on 22nd April, 2008 for the offense of assaulting hospital staff and hospital doctors punishable with rigorous imprisonment for 3 years with non-bailable warrant) Due to such incidents the morale of doctors and medical staff is damaged. We request the police to respond in time and take appropriate action to avoid recurrence of such incidents," the statement by Telangana Nurses Association said.

Also Read: Mob Attack: 2 Surgeons brutally attacked after patient death, admitted in ICU