Doctors Speak Up against Massive vandalism at Sahyadri hospital

“Generally, every medical institution ensures all necessary care and appropriate measures while treating a patient. All relevant information is explained to the patient and their relatives at the start of treatment and periodically during the course of treatment in a way they can understand. Critically ill and ICU-admitted patients can deteriorate at any moment. Every medical professional sincerely strives for the patient’s quick and complete recovery,” the association pointed out.

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Dr Sunil Ingale, president, IMA Pune Chapter, stated, “In such situations, taking the law into one’s own hands and attacking medical institutions and healthcare workers is not an answer; it is an act worthy of the strongest condemnation. Such misconduct creates fear among hospital staff as well as other patients, ultimately affecting patient outcomes. Due to the attack on Sahyadri Hospital, other admitted patients are taking discharge against medical advice. Working in an atmosphere of intimidation becomes extremely challenging for healthcare workers.”

Explaining the incident Dr Sanjay Patil, national secretary of Hospital Board of India, stated that the patient was rushed to Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital, Hadapsar, as he had a perforated ulcer. The patient was suffering from certain comorbidities, and despite the best efforts of the doctors, the patient could not be saved. The doctors even performed CPR to save the patient. However, the relative of the patient alleged negligence and vandalised the hospital premises, pelted stones, and smashed objects. “Security personnel and police should be more vigilant in handling such situations,” he added.

Previously, Medical Dialogues reported that more than a dozen relatives of a 77-year-old patient resorted to stone pelting and vandalism at Sahyadri Super Speciality Hospital in Hadapsar, shortly after the patient passed away during treatment. In a recent press release, IMA Pune stated, “In this incident at Sahyadri Hospital, the description of the life-saving CPR procedure as 'breaking ribs and sitting on the chest to kill the patient' is deplorable and reflects the sheer ignorance of these antisocial elements. CPR has saved thousands of lives to date, but incidents like these may now discourage doctors or healthcare staff from administering CPR, which could gravely harm society.”

“Such incidents are being witnessed repeatedly. In most cases, police assistance arrives only after the crime has occurred. In some situations, political party workers, based on incomplete information, take the law into their own hands. All this results in the mental demoralization of doctors and healthcare workers, which in turn can severely affect other patients. In this particular case, based on initial information, we believe there is no lapse or negligence on the part of the doctors, hospital, or staff,” the association added, demanding strict and immediate action be taken against the concerned miscreants under the Maharashtra Medicare Act 2010, without yielding to any political pressure.