Doctors at Delhi's Govt Hospital go on strike after MLA allegedly assaults on-duty doctor
Doctor Assault
New Delhi: The MBBS interns and resident doctors at Delhi-based Acharya Bhikshu Govt Hospital have announced to call off their duties in protest against the incident of violence that took place at the casualty department of the hospital today.
It has been alleged that an MLA of Moti Nagar, physically assaulted and verbally abused the on-duty doctor, demanding immediate treatment for a 10-year-old child. The video of the MLA shouting at the doctors at the Emergency Department of the hospital has gone viral on social media platforms.
Writing to the Medical Superintendent of Acharya Bhikshu Govt Hospital, the MBBS interns, and the Resident Doctors of the hospital submitted a formal complaint against the MLA for physical assault against the on-duty doctor.
The incident took place in the morning of 21st August when the on-duty doctor in casualty was checking the vitals of sick patients. At that time, a group of 4-5 people came with a child around 10 years old with a minor finger injury. The doctor asked them to wait for a few minutes as he was busy with other patients,, and his colleague was occupied with a trauma patient and was doing suturing.
As per the letter, in the meantime, the child's attendants allegedly started abusing the on-duty doctor and intimidated him by saying that they were known to an MLA and demanded immediate treatment. When the doctor tried talking to them politely, allegedly, the attendants started threatening the doctor.
"Then one of them came forward saying he is the MLA of this area and rest of them grabbed his shoulder and pushed him on his seat. When other doctors came to his support they all started abusing and misbehaving with all the doctors, started recording everything and MLA started shouting [“YOU DON’T KNOW WHO THE F*** I AM”] and started cursing," the doctors mentioned in the letter. Allegedly, when the doctors tried getting help from the guards present there, they did not come forward for help.
"This incident has not only caused him physical and emotional distress but has also created a hostile and unsafe work environment for all the doctors. This is not the first incident, such incidences have been happening continually in the name of MLA known too patients. Such conduct from senior official is unacceptable, violates professional ethics and undermines the dignity and security of medical professionals," the letter further added.
Therefore, the protesting doctors demanded the medical superintendent's immediate intervention and sought a fair and impartial inquiry into the incident, an appropriate disciplinary and legal action against the concerned MLA in the form of an apology and police complaint.
Further, they have also demanded that the CCTV footage of the incident should be released and sought assurance of safety and legal action against any misconduct. Another demand of the doctors is stationing additional guards at the casualty.
Announcing their decision to call off duty, the doctors further added in the letter, "We trust you will take urgent action to ensure justice and to maintain a safe and respectful working environment for all at US (Doctors). Till then, NO intern/ Post graduate will not continue their duties till adequate actions are taken."
Support from Medical Fraternity:
Extending solidarity with the doctors at Acharya Bhikshu Hospital, the Resident Doctors Association (RDA) at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi wrote to the Chief Minister of Delhi.
The association demanded urgent intervention against the assault on doctors at Acharya Bhikshu Hospital. "On behalf of the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA), AIIMS New Delhi, we express our grave concern and anguish over the recent incident at Acharya Bhikshu Hospital, where an MLA and his associates allegedly assaulted doctors and staff while they were performing their duties. Such repeated acts of violence against healthcare professionals gravely endanger not only the safety of doctors but also compromise patient care. When those entrusted with healing lives are themselves unsafe, the entire healthcare delivery system is jeopardized. It is wholly unacceptable that political influence or physical intimidation be used against those working tirelessly in the service of society," the association mentioned in its letter.
It demanded immediate arrest and strict punitive action against all those involved in the assault, irrespective of their political position. Further, they demanded deployment of adequate security forces in government hospitals across Delhi, fast-track legal proceedings in all cases of violence against doctors, and a written assurance from the Government guaranteeing workplace safety for doctors.
"In the absence of such measures, we will be left with no option but to consider withdrawal of services across Delhi hospitals," AIIMS JDA mentioned in the letter.
The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) at Lady Hardinge Medical College (LHMC) has also written to the Delhi Chief Minister. The association expressed deep anguish and condemnation over the shocking incident of violence that took place at Acharya Bhikshu Hospital
"This incident is not an isolated matter but part of an alarming trend of increasing violence against healthcare workers. Such actions severely compromise the sense of security of doctors, hamper patient care, and tarnish the doctor-patient relationship built on trust and respect. It is unacceptable that political power or influence be used to intimidate professionals who serve selflessly, often under high-pressure circumstances," it mentioned in the letter.
RDA LHMC demanded punishment of the culprits under the provisions of the Delhi Medicare Service Personnel and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2008. Further, it demanded awareness drives about Delhi Medicare Act across hospitals so that the public is informed of the legal consequences of violence against healthcare professionals.
They also sought the implementation of a zero-tolerance policy for violence against healthcare workers, and public condemnation of such acts.
Reacting to the incident, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) wrote on X, "Unacceptable! Doctors are being assaulted at Acharya Shree Bhikshu Hospital allegedly by MLA @HarishKhuranna & his men. Is this how we treat frontline healthcare workers? @DelhiPolice must act immediately. Zero tolerance for #ViolenceAgainstDoctors."
Condemning the incident, the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) wrote in an X post, "Alleged #violence against doctors at Acharya Shree Bhiskhu Hospital by #MLA of #Motinagar @HarishKhuranna & his people. What law and order is this @BJP4India? Reportedly, the conflict is still ongoing. Shame."
Also Read: Lady Hardinge Medical College resident doctors call off strike after safety assurances
