No Security for doctors: BHU female resident doctor threatened, Doctors' association demand justice

The incident took place on September 14 at around 4 PM when the attendant of a patient arrived at the triage and claimed to be from the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) office. The attendant insisted that the female resident contact the Head of the Department (HOD), but the doctor declined, citing the absence of official orders. The situation escalated when the attendants demanded to speak directly with CMO office officials, which the resident once again refused, adhering to hospital protocol.

In line with hospital policy to ensure patient privacy, the female resident asked the attendants and patient to wait outside the triage as hospital policy restricts male presence in the triage area for privacy reasons. One of the attendants, identifying himself as a BHU student, reacted aggressively. He refused to leave, shouted at the resident, upon being denied the resident’s name, engaged in severe verbal abuse and threats of physical violence.

The lack of security in the triage area at the time of the incident likely contributed to the escalation. No security guards were present to intervene. The resident immediately reported the incident to the HOD, who contacted CMO office officials for further investigation. CCTV footage capturing the incident has been reviewed and is attached for identification and legal action.

In response, the Resident Doctors' Welfare Society at IMS BHU submitted a letter to the concerned authorities, demanding justice for the harassed doctor. In the letter, the association questioned why no FIR had been filed within the mandated six hours, as per the guidelines of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). They also raised concerns about the lack of security in the triage area, asking, "Where was the guard when the incident happened? Who is responsible for the security breach?"

The association further highlighted that this was not an isolated incident. They referred to similar occurrences at IMS BHU hospitals, emphasizing that female resident doctors have repeatedly been subjected to harassment. "Such incidents have been happening in IMS BHU hospitals for a long time," the association said, adding, "The culprits are audacious enough to harass female doctors even while we are still seeking justice for Abhaya in August."

In addition to calling for justice, the resident doctors urged the institute to take immediate measures to ensure the safety of the female resident doctor involved in the incident and to prevent further occurrences. The letter expressed deep frustration with the recurring nature of such incidents and questioned whether the authorities had reported the matter to the Director, Chief Proctor, and Medical Superintendent.

As resident doctors continue to press for answers and accountability, the broader issue of security and harassment in healthcare settings remains a significant concern for medical professionals across the country.