GMERS Gandhinagar resident doctor assaulted inside hostel, doctors demand immediate safety measures

Gandhinagar: In a disturbing incident of alleged violence against medical professionals, a resident doctor at GMERS Medical College and Hospital, Gandhinagar, was reportedly assaulted by an outsider inside the hostel premises.

Calling the incident a serious threat to the safety of doctors on campus, resident doctors under the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) have announced an indefinite strike until immediate and concrete steps are implemented to ensure their safety. They have also demanded strict action against the attacker.

In a letter addressed to the Dean of GMERS Medical College, the association stated that one of their resident doctors was assaulted by an outsider on December 21 at around 11:30 pm inside the hostel premises. The outsider allegedly entered the residential area without permission and attacked the doctor.

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The incident has created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among all resident doctors, the association said. They have also pointed out that concerns about inadequate security in the hostel campus were raised several times, but no effective action was taken.

"We would like to highlight that repeated prior representations regarding the absence of adequate security arrangements in the hostel campus were already made to the concerned authorities. Unfortunately, despite these warnings, no effective action was taken, resulting in this unfortunate and avoidable incident. In view of the above and due to serious concerns regarding personal safety, we, the resident doctors, have unanimously decided to proceed with an indefinite strike until immediate and concrete measures are implemented to ensure the safety and security of all resident doctors," the association stated in the letter.

The resident doctors have demanded a written assurance from the college authorities within 24 hours regarding the implementation of adequate security measures. These include round-the-clock deployment of trained security personnel, strict control on unauthorised entry into hostel premises, installation and proper functioning of CCTV cameras, and a formal inquiry into the incident with strict action against those involved.

The association further clarified that if the authorities fail to implement these measures within 24 hours, the doctors will proceed with an indefinite strike.

"Failing receipt of satisfactory assurance and visible implementation of the above security measures within 24 hours of this intimation, we, the resident doctors, will be compelled to proceed with an indefinite strike. This letter serves as a formal notice regarding the incident and our proposed course of action. We sincerely hope for your prompt intervention and resolution of this matter in the interest of safety and institutional harmony," the association added.

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