End VIP culture, strengthen security in Hospitals: Doctors urge health minister after GMC Jalaun violence

New Delhi: Condemning the alleged brutal assault on a junior resident doctor on emergency duty at Government Medical College (GMC) Jalaun by attendants of a patient, a doctors' body has urged the Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda to take strict action to curb VIP culture in hospitals and strengthen security protocols across healthcare institutions.

Writing a letter to Minister Nadda on May 20, 2026, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) Doctors Association highlighted a recent unfortunate incident that occurred wherein a doctor was allegedly manhandled and threatened following demands for preferential treatment for a patient related to a political functionary.

Medical Dialogues had reported that the doctor was allegedly verbally abused and physically assaulted. A CCTV video that captured the incident reportedly showed the accused initiating the altercation and assaulting the doctor on duty. The accused was allegedly seen punching the doctor and even attacking him with a nearby chair while bystanders watched the entire incident. According to a social media post, the alleged attack was related to a local MLA.

Criticising the VIP culture in hospitals, the association said such incidents are becoming increasingly common and are severely affecting the morale, safety, and functioning of healthcare workers.

FAIMA stated that hospitals function on the principles of medical ethics, triage, and clinical urgency, and any attempt to pressurise doctors for VIP preference or out-of-turn treatment compromises patient care and disrupts the healthcare delivery system. It added that no patient should receive preferential treatment on the basis of political influence, status, or power.

Following the recent alleged assault on the doctor, the association asked:

i. Strict directions to all government and private hospitals against VIP interference in clinical decision-making and patient prioritization.

ii. Restriction on unnecessary attendants and crowd gathering inside hospital premises, especially during emergency situations.

iii. Prohibition or regulated use of mobile phone recordings inside sensitive clinical areas to prevent intimidation, misinformation, and breach of privacy.

iv. Mandatory security protocols and controlled entry systems in hospitals to prevent mob aggregation after minor disputes or misunderstandings.

v. Immediate legal action and strict penal consequences against individuals involved in violence, threats, or obstruction of healthcare services.

vi. Issuance of national guidelines for ensuring the safety and dignity of healthcare workers in all healthcare institutions.

"Doctors and healthcare workers have continuously served the nation with dedication, especially during challenging times. Ensuring a safe and professional working environment is essential not only for healthcare providers but also for the larger public interest. We sincerely request your immediate intervention in this matter and urge the Ministry to take decisive steps to end VIP culture and strengthen security in hospitals across India," mentioned the letter.

Speaking to Medical Dialogues, Dr Sandeep Dagar, Patron of FAIMA Doctors Association, said, "Hospitals cannot be allowed to function under fear, pressure, or VIP influence. A doctor’s duty is to prioritise patients purely on medical urgency and clinical need, not on status, power, or political connections. If doctors are not allowed to work independently and safely, ultimately, the entire healthcare system and common patients suffer. A safe and dignified working environment for healthcare workers is essential not only for doctors, but also for patient safety and public interest."

Also read- GMC Jalaun on duty doctor abused, assaulted by patient's attendants