Cardiologist stabbed in brutal knife attack critical, colleagues demand action against accused
Gangtok: Condemning the gruesome attack on a cardiologist and a sanitary attendant at STNM Hospital, hundreds of doctors, health workers, paramedical staff and students took out a massive protest rally here on Thursday demanding strict punishment for the accused.
The protesters in around 500 in number, however, terminated the rally before its destination after senior doctors and police officers requested them, citing law and order issues besides problems faced by patients and their families due to their absence from duty.
Cardiologist Dr Sanjay Upreti and sanitary attendant Kalawati Chhetri were stabbed multiple times with a knife by the latter's jilted lover 42-year-old Thinlay Bhutia on December 14.
Bhutia, who was angry with Chhetri for not receiving his calls, also attacked the doctor who tried to save her. He was later arrested on the hospital campus.
Also Read: Cardiologist Attempts To Rescue Hospital Staff In Knife Attack, Gets Brutally Stabbed
The condition of the cardiologist and Chhetri, who have been airlifted to Siliguri in neighbouring West Bengal for better treatment, is stated to be serious as both are on ventilator support and the doctor's leg had to be amputated after his nerves had been severed and gangrene had formed in the wound, sources told PTI.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang has assured all help to the doctor and the sanitary attendant, and promised that strict action will be taken against the accused. He said that security at the hospital will be boosted to prevent such incidents in the future.
A day after the CM's visit, doctors, nurses, sanitary attendants, and students alike along with a few doctors from Central Referral Hospital assembled at 9 am at the hospital entrance. They staged a silent protest holding placards that read, "We are humans too", "Don't attack the saviours" among others.
The participants of the rally demanded strict punishment for the accused, tightening of security in hospitals including installation of metal detectors and warning alarms, and introduction of a bill in the assembly to ensure security to doctors and other health personnel.
Later, the protesting hospital staff assembled at the conference hall where many senior doctors, nurses and paramedic staff shared their grievances that have allegedly occurred over the years at the state's only government multi-speciality hospital.
The health workers also agreed to submit a memorandum to the state government as well as to various national-level medical bodies.
A section of STNM doctors, including the Indian Medical Association's Sikkim chapter, has proposed for a Legislative Bill to strengthen security, and severe punishment for attacks on health care workers, reports East Mojo.
IMA Sikkim Chapter president Dr. Karma Loday Bhutia, while addressing the gathering, stated, "Any association, be it doctors or nurses' association, must all come together to place our grievances and demands. We have to be united and not just for STNM but all other district and private hospitals. Protection of medical service personnel and medical service-related people…there is an Act in place which says the offence is non bailable. The process take a lot of time, we have complained this to the Health Minister. A gazette has to be published by the state government. We have to push for a Bill, that is most important."
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