Doctor Assaulted by Patient and Family at Sion Hospital

A woman doctor was assaulted by a drunk patient and his family at Sion Hospital in Mumbai. The incident occurred after the doctor removed the patient's dressing to examine his injury, causing him pain. Police have detained the patient and his sister, while investigation is ongoing.

In a disturbing incident that highlights the growing issue of violence against healthcare professionals, a woman resident doctor was assaulted by a drunk patient and his family members at Mumbai's Sion Hospital early Sunday morning. The incident, which took place around 3:30 am, has sparked outrage and raised concerns about the safety of medical staff. According to police reports, the patient, identified as Prasad Devendra, had arrived at the hospital with injuries on his lips and nose. While receiving treatment from the doctor, Devendra allegedly verbally abused her, citing the pain he experienced during the examination. The doctor, who was treating him in the ENT section, had removed his dressing to assess the injury, which reportedly led to the patient's distress.

The situation escalated further when the patient's relatives intervened, claiming miscommunication during the prescription process. An altercation ensued, with the relatives allegedly throwing a gauze piece at the doctor's face. The doctor sustained scratches on her arm during the altercation. Following the incident, the doctor alerted her colleagues and reported the matter to the police station. Police officials recorded the doctor's statement and registered a case against Devendra and his sister, Shweta, under sections 115(2), 352, 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and sections 3 and 4 of the Maharashtra Medical Services and Medical Services Institutions (Prevention of Violent Acts and Loss or Damage to Property) Act 2010. Both Devendra and Shweta were detained at the police station while investigations are underway. No arrests have been made so far.

This incident, sadly, is not an isolated case. There has been a rise in violence against healthcare professionals in India, with doctors facing physical attacks, verbal abuse, and threats. This trend highlights the urgent need to address the issue of patient aggression and protect medical professionals from such violence. Measures such as increased security at hospitals, stricter penalties for assaults on healthcare workers, and raising public awareness about the importance of respecting medical professionals are crucial to creating a safe and secure environment for healthcare workers.

Source: 2 detained after patient, relatives assault woman doctor at Sion Hospital