Doctors on mass protest after relatives of Deceased COVID patient Vandalise hospital, set ambulance on fire

Written by Garima Published On 2020-07-24T09:00:14+05:30 | Updated On 24 July 2020 9:00 AM IST

Doctors on mass protest after relatives of Deceased COVID patient Vandalise hospital, set ambulance on fire

Karnataka: In a brutal case of violence reported recently, tension prevailed at Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) after a mob vandalised the hospital and set ablaze an ambulance in the facility premises. The mob included the angered relatives of the patient who had succumbed to COVID at the hospital during treatment.

Condemning this incident along with other violent attacks on doctors and vandalism in hospital premises lately, the Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors (KARD) is observing a black badge protest.

The present matter relates to a 45-year-old COVID-19 patient who was suffering from severe acute respiratory syndrome and breathlessness took admission in BIMS on July 19th. The patient was admitted into the hospital after being tested COVID-19 and was receiving treatment in the ICU ward. However, his condition declined and ultimately he succumbed to the disease. When the doctors informed the relatives about the death of the patient, they resorted to violence alleging that the negligence of the hospital caused the death of the patient. Accusing the authorities of medical negligence, they started damaging the hospital property.

A case was lodged against the accused and the police confirmed that while two of the miscreants were placed under arrest, the others connected with the incident are still absconding. The police have started an investigation to nab the rest of the accused people.

ALSO READ: Violence at AMU: COVID suspected patient's relatives assault resident doctors, throw oxygen cylinder

TOI reports that angered over the death, a crowd of about 100 including family members gathered at BIMS and went on rampage spree. The mob allegedly pelted stones at the hospital and the vehicles outside the hospital premises. They also manhandled group D workers. Many staff including doctors were seen running helter-skelter outside the hospital. The violence reportedly did not stop there, they set fire on an ambulance. The ambulance was completely destroyed by the fire after which the police appeared and took the situation under control.

The Director of BIMS, Vinay Dastikop told TOI that that doctors, nurses and other workers are brought inside the hospital after the incident to reinforce confidence to continue the duty. He admitted that morale of the staff has been dented as many are still in the state of shock. The Deputy commissioner H G Hiremath had conversations with the staff to boost their confidence and informed the daily, "we have now increased the security arrangements and one Police vehicle has been deployed to avoid repetition of such instances and section 144 has been clamped."

Karnataka: An ambulance of Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) was set ablaze yesterday allegedly by relatives of a patient who died at the hospital. Belagavi Police Commissioner says, "Ambulance was empty. Around 40 people tried to enter hospital. Case registered." pic.twitter.com/QZBCFHdVmo
— ANI (@ANI) July 23, 2020

Meanwhile, in a separate incident, earlier resident doctors and nurses on duty at the state-run K.C. General Hospital in the city were assaulted. Relatives of a patient who posthumously tested positive assaulted a resident doctor and a nurse for not handing over her body without conducting an autopsy and completing formalities. These two incidents have led the association to take action and demand security for doctors and health staff in the hospitals.

Outraged by abuse and assault on them by relatives of COVID victims, the Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors (KARD) on Thursday sought action against offenders. Commenting on the incident KARD President Dayanand Sagar said: "Violence on doctors and healthcare workers in many hospitals endangers our safety and damage to public property". IANS reports that the association sought to arrest and legal action against culprits involved in the attack on doctors in Bengaluru, Belagavi hospital. "The state government should ensure safety protocols in all hospitals and COVID care centres with security and police personnel," added Dr Sagar.

Dr Sagar said that the association members would protest from July 24 in all state-run and private hospitals across the state by wearing black bands. "The state government should take stringent action against relatives of Covid patients or victims for abusing and attacking us, nurses and paramedics violently in the event of a death due to the infection," KARD President added.

karnataka association of resident doctorskardviolence against doctorsdoctors strike

Source : with inputs

Garima

Garima joined Medical Dialogues in the year 2017 and is currently working as a Senior Editor. She looks after all the Healthcare news pertaining to Medico-legal cases, NMC/DCI decisions, Medical Education issues, government policies as well as all the news and updates concerning Medical and Dental Colleges in India. She is a graduate from Delhi University and pursuing MA in Journalism and Mass Communication. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in Contact no. 011-43720751