NIMS doctors demand action over alleged abuse, threats by patient attendant

Hyderabad: In a shocking incident, doctors and other healthcare personnel at the Emergency Department of Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) were allegedly verbally abused and threatened by a patient’s attendant in the early hours of Monday. 

According to the NIMS Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA), the incident took place around 12.30 am in the Red Triage area after a patient was brought to the emergency unit with no signs of life. The doctors on duty attended to the patient appropriately, and there was no reported delay or lapse in medical care, the association said. 

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The RDA alleged that following the incident, the patient’s attendant verbally abused and threatened doctors and other healthcare workers. The attendant allegedly used vulgar and abusive language and claimed political connections in an attempt to intimidate hospital staff.

The attendant was later allowed to proceed towards the first floor, where he allegedly assaulted and injured a security personnel, said Dr Manthena Pavan Kalyan, president of the NIMS RDA, along with vice-presidents Dr R.P. Anand Krishna, Dr K.V.N. Mohit and Dr R. Rajanish, in their representation to the hospital management. “We understand that the person was emotional, but violence against hospital staff cannot be justified,” the doctors said, reports Deccan Chronicle.

Speaking to TNIE, the association called the incident a serious threat to the safety of doctors, nurses, security personnel and other hospital staff. It also questioned the adequacy of security arrangements and said aggressive individuals should be identified, controlled and removed from critical patient-care areas, with police intervention where necessary.

The RDA has sought a detailed inquiry into the incident, including a review of CCTV footage and proper documentation of the events. It also called for the medical evaluation of the injured security personnel and appropriate police and medico-legal action against those responsible.

In addition, the association demanded an inquiry into the alleged security lapse and urged the hospital administration to strengthen security arrangements. Its recommendations include deploying adequately trained security personnel, establishing a rapid-response mechanism for emergencies involving violence and regulating the movement of patient attendants within critical areas. 

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