Incident of Violence Against Medical Professionals in Rajkot
Assault on Resident Doctor
In a disturbing incident, a 28-year-old resident doctor from the Neurosurgery Department at Rajkot Civil Hospital was allegedly abused and attacked by the attendant of an accident victim while he was on duty in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). According to a report by Times of India, the assailant entered the ICU after expressing anger over the return of an unused blood bottle and began verbally abusing the nursing staff.
Doctor’s Intervention and Assault
When the doctor attempted to intervene and restore order, the accused reportedly assaulted him, pushing him to the ground and issuing threats against his life. The attack resulted in facial injuries for the doctor. Following this incident, resident doctors at PDU Medical College and Hospital, represented by the Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA), expressed their outrage and initiated a protest on December 31 at 6 PM. They boycotted outpatient department (OPD) services and planned surgeries, demanding the immediate arrest of the assailant, suspension of security personnel present during the incident, and the appointment of a new security agency.
Police Response and Legal Action
The day after the incident, police apprehended the suspect, Jaydeep Chavda, under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for obstructing a public servant, using criminal force, voluntarily causing hurt, and criminal intimidation. The altercation occurred on December 28 while Chavda was accompanying Binay Thapa, an accident victim admitted to the hospital with severe head injuries on December 25.
Background of the Incident
During Thapa’s treatment, the hospital issued two units of blood, one of which remained unused. Staff requested the return of the unused unit as part of standard protocol to allow its use for other patients. The accused, however, allegedly entered the ICU without authorization, demanding written confirmation regarding the blood. When hospital personnel explained the procedure, he became aggressive and resorted to abusive language.
Protests by Resident Doctors
The assault triggered significant anger among resident doctors, leading to protests at PDU Medical College and Hospital. Their demands included the immediate arrest of the assailant, a public apology from him, cancellation of his PMJAY (Ayushman Bharat) card, suspension of security staff present during the incident, and the appointment of a new security agency. They warned that failure to meet these demands could result in the withdrawal of emergency services starting January 2.
Administrative Response
Monali Makadiya, the hospital superintendent, condemned the incident, stating that an inquiry committee had been established to investigate the matter. She noted, “Many times, patients’ relatives fail to understand the nature of a doctor’s work. For relatives, their admitted patient is the priority, whereas doctors are required to give precedence to critically ill patients.”
Calls for Enhanced Safety Measures
The Rajkot chapter of the Gujarat Medical Teachers Association also called on the government and hospital administration to prioritize the safety and security of medical professionals, demanding the assailant’s arrest within 48 hours. The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) expressed solidarity with the protesting doctors, highlighting the failure of security personnel to intervene during the attack.
FORDA’s Position on Safety for Healthcare Workers
In a letter to the college principal, FORDA emphasized the ongoing risks faced by resident doctors, who spend considerable time in wards and emergency areas. They called for urgent measures to address security failures, warning that without appropriate action, the hospital environment could become unsafe for all healthcare workers. FORDA condemned the violence and fully supported demands for a secure workplace, urging authorities to ensure the immediate arrest of the assailant, investigate security staff failures, and enhance security measures in high-risk hospital areas.
Symbolic Protests and Future Actions
The association also endorsed peaceful protests, such as wearing black badges or ribbons, to symbolize solidarity against violence while maintaining emergency and critical care services. They asserted that a timely and decisive response from the administration would convey a strong message that an attack on one doctor is an attack on the entire medical community, thereby helping to rebuild trust among resident doctors.