Mob Violence: Doctors attacked at Mahabubabad Hospital

Hyderabad: In a shocking case of violence against medical professionals, a mob of around 60 people allegedly stormed the Mahabubabad Government General Hospital, verbally abused, and brutally assaulted doctors, including the hospital superintendent, following the death of a critically ill patient due to cardiac arrest.

Although the doctors stated that they tried their best to revive the patient through CPR, the mob accused them of medical negligence and held them responsible for the patient’s death.

In response to the attack, doctors from about 35 government hospitals across Telangana condemned the assault and staged a protest wearing black badges. They demanded the immediate arrest of those involved and urged the government to strengthen security at government hospitals across the state.

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As per the latest media report by The Hindu, the incident took place on September 21 when a woman was admitted to the hospital around 8:30 pm with diabetic ketoacidosis, a blood sugar level of 700 mg/dl, altered sensorium, and severe respiratory distress with an oxygen saturation of 60%.

The doctors claimed that despite providing the required treatment, she suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away at 10 p.m. Doctors attempted resuscitation but could not revive her.

After her death, a mob of 60 people stormed into the hospital's ICU, attacking the doctors, including the superintendent. They barged into the superintendent’s chamber, attacked him and issued him death threats.

In fear, the superintendent developed palpitations and sweating during the assault, after which he was shifted to the ICU. Soon, the police personnel posted at the hospital outpost reached the hospital and attempted to bring the situation under control, but failed. They were forced to call for additional forces to control the mob.

When the situation was under control of the police, the hospital administration filed a complaint with the Mahabubabad Town police station against the attackers.

Several medical associations, including the Telangana Teaching Government Doctors Association (TTGDA), Indian Medical Association (IMA Telangana), Telangana JUDA, TNGO, IMA Warangal and THANA Warangal, supported the doctors and condemned the attack on them.

Doctors from 35 government medical colleges across Telangana staged a black badge protest on Tuesday in solidarity with colleagues at the Government General Hospital, Mahbubabad. The protest was led by the Telangana Teaching Government Doctors Association (TTGDA), supported by other medical associations.

Apart from demanding action against the accused attackers, the doctors urged the government to establish security outposts and deploy SPF personnel at every teaching hospital as a priority, to prevent such untoward incidents in future

Commenting on this, Dr Kiran Bollepaka, president, Central TTGDA, told Deccan Chronicle, “We appeal to the public to remain patient in difficult situations, as doctors are not gods but dedicated professionals doing their best to save lives. Every act of violence against doctors in public hospitals erodes the trust of poor patients in government healthcare, ultimately affecting their progress and well-being."

"The incident has highlighted the lack of physical security in healthcare institutions. Doctors are more vulnerable compared to bureaucratic spaces. Such vulnerabilities are rarely reported, making this occurrence alarming,” said Dr D. Dwarakanath Reddy, president, IMA Telangana.

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