Gandhi hospital junior doctors protest assault on medico, demand immediate action by authorities
Hyderabad: In protest against the alleged assault on the on-duty first-year PG junior resident from the General Medicine department at Gandhi Hospital, junior doctors under the Junior Doctors' Association (JUDA) decided to hold a Black Badge Protest as a mark of solidarity and resistance against violence toward healthcare professionals.
Apart from this, the association demanded an immediate public apology from those responsible and the immediate deletion of all defamatory posts circulating on social media handles regarding the incident.
Medical Dialogues had reported that protests were held by doctors at the hospital on the day of the incident; they threatened to derail normal medical services in the top State-run Tertiary Hospital from today. The agitation came after an attendant allegedly slapped the doctor over an allegation of touching the patient while checking her glucose levels. The reported assault led to minor scratch injuries on the doctor's head.
Condemning the incident, JUDA of Gandhi Hospital, in a press release, said, "We demand an immediate public apology from those responsible and the immediate deletion of all defamatory posts circulating on social media handles regarding the incident. In protest against this unacceptable act, we are initiating a Black Badge Protest as a mark of solidarity and resistance against violence toward healthcare professionals."
Pointing out that doctors dedicate their lives to patient care and public service, the association said physical assault, verbal abuse, intimidation, and defamation of doctors on duty are deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable in a civilised and educated society.
"We, the doctors, are the victims of this incident, and such attacks severely affect the morale, dignity, and safety of healthcare workers. JUDA demands that the higher authorities take this matter seriously and ensure strict and immediate action against those responsible. We further urge the administration to implement stronger security measures and establish a zero-tolerance policy toward violence against doctors and hospital staff," mentioned the press note.
In support of the doctors, the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) condemned the unjust and unacceptable violence against the doctor at Gandhi Medical College in Telangana.
The association in a post on X urged the Telangana government to take immediate action to protect healthcare professionals and ensure their safety, as such incidents undermine the very foundation of healthcare and medical service.
"It is imperative that the Telangana Government responds decisively to prevent any further attacks and uphold the dignity and security of those dedicated to saving lives. Silence in the face of such violence only encourages more, and we demand justice and accountability now," the association said in the post.
