Resident doctors at Nalhar Medical College on pen down strike after colleague's assault

Nalhar: In a shocking incident of violence against medical professionals, a resident doctor in the department of paediatrics at Shaheed Hasan Khan Mewati Government Medical College (SHKM GMC), Nalhar, was allegedly assaulted by a female attendant along with 4-5 men.

In protest against the alleged brutal attack on the doctor, the Resident Doctors' Association has declared a pen-down strike from August 13, followed by cessation of all emergency services from 14 August till the miscreants are punished.

The incident took place at 7 am on August 11 in the paediatrics ward, where around 4-5 men, along with a female attendant, allegedly physically attacked the doctor and hospital staff. At the time of the incident, no security guard or ward boy was on duty, which allowed the situation to escalate unchecked.

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Following the attack, the hospital authorities informed the police, and the doctor filed a complaint against the miscreants. An investigation in this regard is underway.

Condemning the incident, the Resident Doctors' Association of SHKM GMC wrote a letter to the institute's director demanding urgent action on security. The association stated that the brutality of the assault was such that it could have cost the doctor his life.

"This is not an isolated lapse — the absence of adequate security arrangements and basic amenities in both the hospital and college premises has created an unsafe and hostile working environment for doctors, staff and patients alike. The safety of healthcare professionals is non-negotiable, and the current state of affairs is unacceptable," the letter reads.

Further, the association put forward their three-point demands, which include immediate and strict action against individuals involved in the assault, urgent strengthening of campus security, including round-the-clock deployment of trained guards in all sensitive areas and restoration and maintenance of basic amenities within the hospital and college premises.

"We expect your prompt intervention to ensure the safety and dignity of all healthcare providers on campus," said the association.

In solidarity with the assaulted doctor, United Doctors Front (UDF) Association Chairperson and National President, Dr. Lakshya Mittal, expressed outrage in a post on ‘X’, stating, "Brutally assaulted while saving lives! Team @UDF_BHARAT strongly condemns the shocking physical assault on Paediatrics Resident Dr at SHKM GMC Nalhar, Nuh, Haryana. Doctors are NOT punching bags. Violence against doctors is unacceptable —UDF demands strict action against culprits, stronger campus security & safe working conditions for all healthcare workers."

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