Maharastra: In a recent case of brutal violence against doctors, a Latur based doctor of Alpha Super Speciality Hospital was repeatedly stabbed and attacked by the son of a COVID patient who passed away in the hospital.
At a time like this, when Healthcare workers are working day and night to handle the increasing number of COVID patients this, kind of violent behaviour and non Cooperative attitude from the relative of the patient has been severely criticized by the Indian Medical Association and the medical community.
Narrating the whole incident, Dr Kulkarni, the IMA president Lathur told
Moneylife that the patient was a 70-year-old lady who got admitted to the
Alpha Hospital 3 to 4 days ago. Her condition was not stable as she was a COVID patient with a number of complications. The doctor informed that the patient also had comorbidities including 'diabetes and high blood pressure.' Later, on 29th July 5 am in the morning, the patient succumbed to COVID during treatment.
When the doctor was doing his regular rounds in the morning, the son of the deceased patient started having arguments with the doctor and suddenly picked up a sharp weapon and allegedly stabbed him multiple times. The hospital staff came to the doctor's rescue and he was immediately taken care of. His condition is stable now.
Dr. Kulkarni further added, "All of a sudden, he drew a knife and stabbed Dr Verma in the chest, hand, and neck. Dr Verma tried to save himself from the attack but has suffered deep cuts. Other staff members then controlled the relative."
Condemning the attack, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has now urged the government to take strict action against the attacker and also to take necessary steps to ensure the protection for doctors.
Speaking to the daily, the IMA president stated, "Alpha Hospital is a COVID19 designated hospital and Dr Verma had been working tirelessly at treating every patient admitted there. If fact, after the attack on Dr Verma, there was no other doctor available to take care of patients. I sent a request to the district collector after which we could arrange for someone to take Dr Verma's place. But this cannot go on. We really need protection."
This local branch of the IMA has announced that Out Patient Departments (OPDs) in the district would remain closed for a day in protest, reports PTI
Many have demanded strict action against the offenders via social media platforms.
All India medical student Association has also criticized this kind of behavior against the doctor. Posting on their social media account, the association said that amidst the pandemic when Maharastra had to ask for doctors from other states, instead of cooperation, this kind of violent attitude of the relatives should be a punishable offence. They also demanded the immediate arrest of the offender.
Mr. G Srikant, the collector of Latur and the superintendent of police (SP), Shivaji Mane paid a visit to the Alpha Hospital and met the doctor as well. While the condition of the doctor is out of danger, the offender has been detained by Shivaji Nagar police, and further investigation is still going on, reports the daily.
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