Violence at Prayagraj Hospital: Senior doctor suffers vision loss in left eye after mob attack

Prayagraj: In an alleged case of violence against a medical professional at Ganga Hospital in Prayagraj, a senior physician and a former professor of the Medicine Department at Allahabad Medical College, Prayagraj was allegedly brutally assaulted by attendants of a patient leading to serious vision loss in his left eye. 

The doctor was subject to violence after the death of a patient who was already suffering from septicemia. It is an infection that occurs when bacteria enter the bloodstream and spread. Even though the patient had existing health problems, the family blamed the doctor for the death and violently attacked him, causing him to lose vision in one eye. 

The incident occurred after the patient with a severe condition of septicemia was brought to hospital on August 20 with complications like breathing issues, kidney failure, liver failure and severe metabolic acidosis. He was transferred to Ganga Hospital after undergoing treatment at two hospitals. 

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Upon his arrival, the patient underwent multiple tests based on recommendations by the doctor. Following this, he was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital at around 2 pm and was under careful observation. However, he passed away in the morning the next day August 21 at around 5 am.

The doctor who was assaulted told media reporters, "We tried to save the patient, gave him medication and was even under careful observation. But he passed away."

Afterwards, the doctor informed the family members about his passing. The deceased patient's son who was present at that time reacted violently to the situation. He allegedly punched the doctor in the left eye which resulted in severe swelling and vision loss. 

Later, the relatives called around 10-15 outsiders and vandalised the hospital property. They even threatened the hospital staff with a knife, claimed the doctor. In fear, the doctor escaped from the hospital. Moments later, the hospital authorities called for police backup and the situation was brought under control. 

"I then went to the police to register a case against the assailants but the police refused to do so. To verify my injuries, I went through medical examination like CT scan and ultrasound. Even with the medical reports, the police refuse to take action. They told me that I had killed the patient and therefore the relatives attacked me."

Meanwhile, a few days later, the police on August 24 registered an FIR against the assailants based on the complaints of the victim's doctor. An investigation in this regard is underway. 

Taking the matter to X, a doctor with the handle 'Indian Doctor' shared a video of the victim doctor explaining the situation to reporters. He wrote 'Brutal Attack on Senior most Dr! Dr ** Retired Professor Medicine of Allahabad Medical College #Prayagraj. After the death of a patient already suffering from septicemia, His family members beat him to such an extent that he lost the vision in one eye!"

Expressing frustration, another user said "Do u ppl think we doctors never lose our family members to illnesses? Do u think we have "cure" for everything and hence failure to cure must automatically be the doc's fault?"

This incident comes amid the widespread protest and outrage following the alleged brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that after taking suo motu cognisance of the incident of rape and murder of a PG trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital, the Supreme Court constituted a National Task Force to frame effective recommendations to remedy the issues of concern regarding safety, working conditions, and well-being of medical professionals and other related matters. 

This 15-member committee, comprising nine senior doctors and five ex-officio government officials, shall prepare an action plan to prevent violence against medical professionals and provide safe working conditions for them.

Further, it will provide an enforceable national protocol for dignified and safe working conditions for interns, residents, senior residents, doctors, nurses, and all medical professionals, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare mentioned in an Office Memorandum issued yesterday.

To prevent violence against healthcare workers, the NTF's job will be to ensure due security in medical establishments, provide a framework for infrastructural development- such as separate duty rooms and restrooms for male/female doctors, nurses, gender-neural common resting space, use of bio-metric or facial recognition for entry to sensitive areas, installing CCTVs, provision of transport from place of stay to place of duty and vice versa.

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