Thane Hospital Assault: 2 doctors resign citing trauma, workplace safety concerns
Two Dombivli Doctors Resign Amid Safety Concerns
Mumbai: Following the alleged assault of two doctors by a Shiv Sena corporator at Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC)-run Shastrinagar Hospital, the doctors involved have resigned, citing severe emotional trauma and concerns over workplace safety. The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Maharashtra's medical fraternity.
According to the news reports, both doctors submitted their resignations through the private agency that employed them. Family members of one of the doctors also expressed concern over the safety and security of medical professionals serving in government-run healthcare facilities.
Also Read:Viral Video: Female doctor slapped at Thane Hospital, Shiv Sena corporator among 6 booked
The assault took place on Monday evening after doctors advised the family of a newborn to shift the infant to another hospital due to the unavailability of beds in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Dissatisfied with the advice, the family allegedly contacted a Shiv Sena corporator who arrived at the hospital with several supporters.
A video of the incident, widely circulated on social media, allegedly shows the corporator slapping and punching one doctor while striking the other doctor on her hand inside the hospital premises. The footage sparked condemnation from medical associations, political leaders, and the general public.
Medical Dialogues had previously reported that in a shocking incident, two on-duty doctors were allegedly assaulted inside a civic-run hospital in Maharashtra's Thane district after advising the family of a newborn to shift the infant to another medical facility due to a shortage of beds in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Police have booked a Shiv Sena corporator and five others in connection with the incident.
Following the incident, doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers staged a protest outside the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Thane District Civil Hospital, where the corporator was admitted after his arrest, reportedly complaining of chest pain.
The protesters demanded his immediate disqualification as a corporator, strict legal action against those involved, and enhanced security arrangements in hospitals to safeguard healthcare professionals.
Speaking to TOI, Additional district civil surgeon Dr Dheeraj S Mahangade condemned the assault but said the hospital would continue to provide treatment. “As doctors, providing treatment is our duty, but under no circumstances can an attack on medical professionals be justified,” he said. He added that the corporator has only one kidney and suffers from high blood pressure, and was likely to be discharged by Thursday evening or Friday morning.
A Kalyan court directed police to produce Mhatre before the court immediately after he is declared medically fit. Police informed the magistrate that he was undergoing treatment, following which the court ordered his production after discharge.
Besides the corporator, three of his associates have been arrested. They, along with a woman supporter, have been booked under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including assault on a public servant, voluntarily causing hurt, criminal intimidation, unlawful assembly and rioting.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister and Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde reportedly reprimanded the corporator over the incident.
Shiv Sena leader and Industries Minister Uday Samant stated that assaulting a woman doctor was unacceptable and clarified that the party had not intervened in the legal process, indicating that it did not support those actions.
Meanwhile, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray demanded Mhatre's removal from all party and public positions, calling the assault unacceptable and questioning his immediate hospitalization following his arrest.
The incident has once again highlighted the growing concern over violence against healthcare professionals in India. Medical associations have urged the government to implement stronger security measures in hospitals.
