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Fortis hospital senior doctor, nurse assaulted by COVID patient kin, colleagues condemn attack

Sanchari ChattopadhyayWritten by Sanchari Chattopadhyay   |  
Fortis hospital senior doctor, nurse assaulted by COVID patient kin, colleagues condemn attack
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Bengaluru: Ahead of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) protest on June 18 against assault on doctors, a nurse and a senior doctor attached to Fortis Hospital was brutally assaulted by the relatives of a Covid-19 patient who passed away after being on ventilator for 35 days.

The doctor, who is a Chief Consultant from Medical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) along with nursing staff and other health care workers received serious injuries in the scuffle following which a case was registered against the accused by the private hospital.
Triggered by the incidents, the staff of the Bannerghatta branch of Bengaluru's Fortis Hospital also staged a peaceful protest outside the city's Puttenahalli police station on Monday, June 14, expressing their discontentment over assaults on frontline workers.
They also decided to take out a protest rally to condemn increasing incidences of violence against medical practitioners.

"We strongly condemn violence against healthcare workers anywhere. Witnessing a deep sense of insecurity among the healthcare workers and demanding strict action against the accused, we carried out a peaceful demonstration today at Puttenahalli Police station and handed over our memorandum to the local police authorities," the hospital said in a statement.

Also Read: Save the Saviours: IMA to hold nationwide protest on June 18 against assault on doctors

Meanwhile, a member of IMA, Karnataka chapter told The New Indian Express, "These incidents are creating fear. Health workers are on the forefront of the pandemic battle, putting their lives at risk and working in critical areas. But still they have to face this. Despite laws to curb such crimes, they are not being implemented."

Further, the Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association (PHANA) submitted a letter to Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai seeking to book the accused under the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act, 2020, which has stricter provisions for prosecution of offenders who attack medical professionals.

It also called for the provisions to be publicized and demanded that the judicial process as per the time frame mentioned in the act be implemented as well.

As per a recent media reports, the 55-year-old patient was undergoing treatment in the ICU of the facility for almost 35 days for post-Covid complication with associated pneumonia but his condition did not improve. When the doctor in charge, the nursing staff, and his team were explaining the family members about the patient's deteriorating health condition and the risks involved, instead of cooperating, the wife, and son of the patient became violent.
They started verbally abusing the doctor and the other staff. They allegedly hit the doctor with mobile phones but the doctor was saved from grave injury as he was wearing a face shield.
"The nurse was hit on her abdomen and the doctor on his left forehead causing injury. Our doctors and medical staff were threatened, hit, misbehaved, and abused by the patient's relatives. It should be noted that our doctors, nurses, and staff in the hospital are all frontline warriors and this incident has made them weak and apprehensive to work at the hospital and this will compromise the safety and security of other patients and the staff," the hospital in a complaint stated, reports
Hans India.
The doctor was rescued by the security personnel and was taken to the neurosurgery department as he was found to have 'scalp hematoma' during the assault. After initial treatment and an MRI of the head, it was revealed that he did not receive any major injury to the brain.
According to a recent media report in The New Indian Express, the attackers were subdued and locked inside a room and police were informed. An FIR was registered at Puttenahalli police station against the attackers under section 323 (assault) of the IPC.
"We have filed an FIR and legal action will be taken against the accused on the same," said a senior police officer.
Criticizing the attack on the doctor and hospital staff, PHANA stated, "The health care workers need a statement from your good self or from the Chief Minister reassuring the protection at workplaces. This will go a long way in ensuring good working conditions at the hospitals. It is during these times that the government of the day and the judiciary can act proactively to reassure the medical fraternity who have been fighting the Covid pandemic risking their lives under stressful situations. We are also requesting the Hon'ble High court of Karnataka to take up this case using their discretionary powers to ensure that the justice is done and a clear message is sent to prevent any such future happenings."

Medical professionals have also been vocal against such attacks on the doctors on social media platforms and sought strict action against the offenders. Dr. Somalaram Venkatesh, Chief of the Cardiology Department at Aster-RV Hospital tweeted, "#violenceagainstdoctors A respected senior intensivist of a reputed tertiary hospital in Bangalore was assaulted today by relatives of a patient who succumbed to Covid."

Meanwhile, both the accused were arrested and later released on bail.


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Source : with inputs
Sanchari Chattopadhyay
Sanchari Chattopadhyay

    Sanchari Chattopadhyay has pursued her M.A in English and Culture Studies from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal. She likes observing cultural specificities and exploring new places.

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