Delhi: Doctor assaulted On Asking Patient, Attendants To Wear Mask, Associations threaten to withdraw services

Triggered by the incident, various doctors' associations have created an uproar, demanding serious action against the culprits and even threatened to go on strike in case of delay in nabbing the offenders.

The Resident Doctors' Association at the hospital has written a letter to the medical superintendent, demanding action under the Disaster Management Act. The doctors have threatened to withdraw all essential and non-essential services of the hospital from Monday onwards in view of delay to initiate action against a patient and her attendant after they allegedly assaulted a doctor on Saturday, as per a letter the doctors' association has written to the hospital's medical superintendent (MS).

This came following an incident that happened on September 26 while the doctor, identified as Dr Rahul Jain was inside the minor Operation Theatre (OT). A female patient, who had a swelling in her thigh, along with her attendant approached the medical practitioner. They were allegedly not wearing masks and pressed the doctor to attend her first.

However, the on-duty doctor asked them to wear a mask and wait for their turn. Aggravated by the denial, the attendants barged inside the OT and assaulted the doctor, and threw a stool at him. Fortunately, the doctor managed to dodge it.

The hospital staff rushed to pacify the situation, however, the female patient started accusing the doctor of behaving inappropriately with her.

"When the hospital staff tried to intervene, the woman started accusing me of behaving inappropriately with her. Even after the police came, he continued to threaten me. I have bruises all over my body," he alleged.

The doctor stated that the woman's allegations had caused him "immense mental stress".

Soon after, a complaint was moved with the police. Despite police intervention, the man continued to threaten the doctor.

"We have registered a case and are investigating the matter," Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer north) Gaurav Sharma told PTI.

Meanwhile, the RDA has demanded to book the assailants without delay under various sections of the IPC and Epidemic Disease Act.

"As assaulter has already threatened to murder the doctor, we demand the arrest of the culprit at earliest. We will be forced to withdraw our residents (doctors) from essential and non-essential services if arrest under appropriate sections not made," the letter read as quoted by IANS.

Various other associations including the Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA), United Residents Doctors Association (URDA) have condemned the alleged assault on Valmiki's doctor and demanded immediate arrest of the accused.

"We strongly condemn the incident of Assault on On-duty Doctor of Maharshi Valmiki Hospital, Delhi by patient's attendants & demand strict action against the culprits under the Epidemic Disease Act," stated Dr Sunil Arora, general-secretary, Federation of Resident Doctors' Association (FORDA).

Threatening for a strike if FIR is not registered against the accused, United Residents Doctors Association (URDA) stated, "Delhi Police will be responsible for the strike as no FIR is registered against the culprit."

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