Duty doctor assaulted, molested: Kerala medical body writes to CM, seeks tight security at hospitals
Thiruvananthapuram: Exasperated over repeated incidents of assault on doctors while on duty, the Kerala Government Medical Officers' Association (KGMOA) on Sunday asked the Chief Minister of the State Pinarayi Vijayan to increase security at hospitals and prevent a repeat of such incidents.
The KGMOA submitted to the Chief Minister a list of suggestions in this regard. The association said the facilities at hospitals are inadequate to prevent attacks resulting in affecting the smooth delivery of essential medical care to the people.
This comes in wake of an incident that took place on August 6 and around 12.30 wherein, a lady doctor and security staff who were on night duty at Taluk Fort hospital were assaulted by two men. Triggered by the incident the hospital staff on Friday boycotted outpatient services protesting the attack on the health workers.
Kerala Education Minister V Sivankutty had visited the doctor in hospital and promised stringent action.
"The government is viewing the attack against the healthcare workers with utmost seriousness. We will take strict action against the culprits. This cannot be accepted," Sivankutty had told the media.
Also Read: Kerala: Duty Doctor Assaulted At Taluk Hospital, Colleagues Boycott OPD Services
Narrating the ordeal, the victim doctor told IANS, "Two persons had arrived at the hospital late in the evening and jumped the queue while asking for medical help. When I asked the reason for the injury, they got provoked and used derogatory language. The duo twisted my arm as well as kicked and assaulted me. I fell down and they tried to disrobe me, without thinking that I am a woman."
She added, "They were under the influence of drugs. I am sure that it was not alcohol. There was no smell of alcohol and they were not sluggish. Instead, their energy level was high, suggesting that they had taken some drugs. It was a harrowing experience and my body is still in pain. The security staff who tried to save me was also attacked. It was a frightening experience."
The woman doctor underwent treatment at the Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital and is now back on duty.
Meanwhile, police have registered a case under sections of 294 b , 323 , 324, 332, 354, 34 of IPC against the two assailants based on the complaint of the doctor.
Condemning the attack, KGMOA also intervened and requested the Kerala CM to look into the matter and take the necessary actions. The Medical Officers' Association clearly mentioned that these kinds of incidents demoralize the doctors who had been tirelessly working in the forefront to control the COVID-19 pandemic while risking their lives, reports Republic World.
"Repeated incidents of hospital coming under attack in the recent past have demoralized doctors who have been tirelessly working to control the Covid-19 pandemic. We are sure that you understand the gravity of the situation and will see to it that such untoward incidents are not repeated," the association said in a letter to the Chief Minister.
As part of the suggestions, KGMOA asked the State government to recognize all healthcare institutions under the Kerala State Health Services as special security zones under section 83 of the Kerala Police Act 2011.
"Police aid posts should be established in all hospitals having casualty service. Infrastructure of healthcare institutions should be improved to enhance security. Security cameras should be installed and adequate security personnel in the institutions. The post of security staff must be created in major hospitals," the letter said.
The doctors demanded that all cases of attack be dealt with under the Hospital Protection Act, 2012, and sought prompt action against the culprits. Also, the KGMOA sought steps to reduce heavy rush and long queues in healthcare institutions, reports PTI.
"The patient load in most healthcare institutions is unmanageable due to improper staff patterns. Doctors and paramedical staff are inadequate for the increased patient load. Necessary steps should be taken to assess the patient load of individual institutions and increase the number of posts accordingly," the KGMOA said.
KGMOA further added in its petition that some accused who assault doctors, file a counter case that the doctor had attacked them. The doctors' body said if such a case comes up, a panel has to be formed and an inquiry must be conducted before initiating a case against the doctor concerned. The Government Doctors Association said in such cases, a police official not below the rank of Superintendent of Police, should oversee the investigation, reports IANS.
