Violence at PMCH: Female junior doctor, colleagues attacked, doctors go on strike

In response to these repeated incidents of attacks on doctors inside the hospital, the Junior Doctors' Association (JDA), PMCH have gone on a strike, suspending all services including Emergency Services, Outpatient Departments (OPD), Inpatient Services (IPD) and all elective and emergency Operation Theatres (OT).

Also read- Safdarjung Hospital HOD CTVS accused of assaulting anaesthesia senior resident, doctors launch mass work boycott

The incident that triggered the PMCH junior doctors to launch the strike took place on December 3, when a confrontation broke out between them and the relatives of a patient who had died.

The altercation took place after a 70-year-old patient, who had a history of brain haemorrhage and hypertension, passed away on Wednesday morning. Following his death, the patient’s relatives accused the doctors of medical negligence. 

On one hand, the deceased's son alleged that his father's condition worsened on Wednesday and that when a doctor declared him dead, his sister asked for a recheck, which the doctor refused. On the other hand, the doctors stated they had already informed the family about his critical condition and low chances of survival.

The deceased patient's son told Bhaskar that doctors attacked them using helmets, sticks, and rods. However, the doctors claimed it was the relatives who started abusing and assaulting them after the death.

The son explained, "My father suffered a brain haemorrhage on November 30 and was admitted to PMCH on Sunday. His condition worsened, and an ECG was conducted. On Wednesday morning, he died. My sister requested the doctors to check the body again, as she claimed it felt warm but a doctor reacted angrily, hitting my sister’s hand. The entire incident was recorded on video."

Meanwhile, the junior doctors refuted the allegations, stating there was no negligence in the treatment. "The patient had a massive brain haemorrhage, and death had been correctly communicated. However, the relatives refused to accept the situation, resulting in a confrontation," said the doctors. 

PMCH junior doctor Dr Ritika told IANS, "A patient with a brain haemorrhage, over 60 years old, was brought to us. It was explained to the family that the chances of survival were very low, and unfortunately, the patient passed away. After this, the female attendant of the patient verbally abused our female intern. When the intern reported the matter to our resident doctor, the family also verbally abused the resident doctor..."

Strongly condemning the attack, JDA said these repeated incidents reflect a serious and escalating threat to the safety, dignity, and morale of healthcare professionals dedicated to patient care.

Despite prior representations, the hospital administration has failed to ensure a secure working environment, said the association in a press release. They also claimed that security guards failed to intervene in the incident and stressed that repeated requests for better security had been ignored by the hospital administration.

Following the incident, the association announced an indefinite strike, saying they would not resume services until their demands are met and visible security measures are implemented.

Their demands include the immediate implementation of comprehensive and effective security arrangements across all departments of PMCH, automatic and mandatory Institutional FIR in every incident of violence against doctors or healthcare personnel and strict enforcement of existing laws and formulation of stronger legal provisions to ensure exemplary punitive action against perpetrators of violence in healthcare settings.

"The strike is being undertaken with immediate effect and shall continue until meaningful, verifiable actions are taken to ensure the safety of doctors on duty. We deeply regret the hardship caused to the public; however, it is impossible to deliver patient care under continuous threat, intimidation, and violence. A secure and respectful work environment is essential for the functioning of any healthcare institution," the association said in the press release. 

One of the members of the association told TOI, "Earlier this week, a doctor delivering his duty in the neuro operation theatre was punched on the head when a person entered there, demanding a blood sample investigation. Again today, one of our junior female colleagues was abused by the family of the deceased, who was a 70-year-old and a known case of hypertension. He came in a critical condition, and we told the family about it. However, after the death, they started hurling abuses and even threatened us, saying they were locals and would kill us. How can a doctor work in such an environment?"

The strike has caused inconvenience to patients, who had to go to other hospitals for treatment. Speaking to IANS, a patient said, "There is swelling in my hand, and I am feeling very uncomfortable, so I have come to Patna to get it checked at PMCH. I found out today that there is a strike going on here, and no doctors are available".