Kerala Govt doctors protest, demand safety after attack on colleague

The association strongly condemned the incident in which an on-duty doctor at the Thamarassery Taluk hospital sustained a serious head injury after being assaulted while on duty. While talking to Medical Dialogues, Dr. Sunil P.K., state president of KGMOA, stated, “This shocking event underscores the lack of safety and protection for medical professionals in government hospitals across Kerala. It is distressing that both the government and society have failed to provide a secure work environment for healthcare workers.”

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that tension gripped the Government Taluk Hospital at Thamarassery after a doctor was allegedly attacked with a machete by the father of a young girl who had died of amoebic meningoencephalitis. KGMOA further pointed out that despite a government order issued in 2021 to introduce the triage system in hospitals, its proper implementation remains inadequate due to a persistent shortage of staff. The association has demanded urgent measures to ensure workplace safety and the enforcement of existing security protocols in all healthcare institutions.

In a press release, the association stated, “But even after the tragic murder of Vandana Das, such incidents are recurring. Yesterday, the life of a casualty medical officer at Thamarassery Taluk Hospital was saved by a hair's breadth. If the assailant's slash with a sharp sword had hit any vital organ, the whole ordeal could have been dangerous. Although a Hospital Protection Act was enacted following strong protests by organizations like KGMOA and IMA, the promises made by the government regarding workplace safety remain unfulfilled.”

Although multiple assaults have taken place, KGMOA’s demand to ensure the high security of hospitals remains unmet. Even after assurances from the Chief Minister to strengthen hospital safety by deploying the State Industrial Security Force for hospital protection and setting up police outposts in major hospitals, key changes are yet to be made. Moreover, CCTV and warning systems were supposed to be installed in all hospitals, two doctors were to be present in a shift for casualties, and a triage system was to be implemented, but nothing has arrived anywhere.

“If you go to the emergency department of the nearby taluk hospital, you will see the real situation. You will see a long queue of emergency cases standing in front of the doctor day and night. You will see minor fever, cough, and cold in all those emergency queues. You will also see the casualty medical officer rushing to see the emergency cases coming in and handle the medico-legal cases,” stated Dr Sunil.

The association further added, “If you pay attention, you will understand. No one will come there to check if you have a deadly weapon or keep a watchful eye on you. Most of the time, there will be old, tired security personnel. Even if the government orders are flouted, people will be hired for a small salary! The work to change this situation will not be limited to a single protest. Until the infrastructure, security, and human resources in government hospitals are improved, strong protests and interventions will continue under the leadership of KGMOA.”