Violence at UCMS GTB Hospital: Mob Attacks On-duty Doctors, RDA declares Strike

New Delhi: Resident doctors at the University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) and Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital recently had to face violence when a mob of 50-70 individuals armed with assault weapons stormed the Gynaecology Department, assaulted the on-duty doctors, threatened the staff and damaged the hospital property.

Protesting against this, the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) of UCMS and GTB Hospital has given a call for a strike. They have stated that their strike will continue until an institutional FIR is registered in this connection. However, the emergency services are being kept operational, said a member of the RDA at the medical college. 

When asked about the incident, a member of the RDA informed Medical Dialogues, on the condition of anonymity, that the incident of violence took place with respect to the treatment of a patient who underwent normal vaginal delivery. However, after the delivery, the patient faced Post-Partum Hemorrhage (PPH) and the patient's condition started deteriorating. 

While the doctors were trying to manage the situation, an attendant of the patient came inside and started shouting at everyone creating a hindrance in the treatment process. The attendant called around 50-60 people. Meanwhile, the doctors kept on resuscitating the patient. However, the mob attacked one Senior and one Junior Resident at the hospital. When the patient was taken to the OT, the mob allegedly entered the Operation Theatre as well. They created a ruckus and misbehaved with the Anaesthetist.

Issuing a Press Release today, the RDA at the medical institute stated, "UCMS & GTB Hospital witnessed a shocking act of violence in the Gynaecology Department. A mob of 50-70 individuals armed with assault weapons stormed the department, threatening the staff, breaking doors and wreaking havoc. This brazen attack has put the lives of our medical staff and patients in grave danger."

The association further announced its decision to initiate a strike and said, "We, the Senior Residents and Junior Residents of UCMS & GTB Hospital are outraged by this incident and taking a firm stand. Effective immediately, we are going on strike until our demand for the registration of an institutional FIR is met. During this period, only emergency services will be operational."

RDA has demanded immediate implementation of robust security measures in all hotspot areas of the hospital including the deployment of security personnel/bouncers in the hospital. Demanding strict action against the culprits, the association has clarified that it would not tolerate any more threats to the safety of either the doctors or the patients.

Also Read: Violence at Raiganj Medical College: On-duty doctors suffer injuries in mob attack, Colleagues boycott OPD