Docs ask for stricter security measures in hosps across state

MUMBAI: A day after a resident doctor was assaulted by a patient’s relatives in a government medical college (GMC) in Akola, the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) on Saturday demanded that the medical education commissioner provide enhanced security measures at the earliest across all medical colleges in the state.

According to MARD, on Friday, a resident doctor from the surgery department of the GMC was attacked by a mob of 20-25 people inside the hospital with slippers and rods after their patient was declared dead. “He was a haemophilia patient. Despite receiving the best care, the doctors could not save him. Blaming the doctor for the death and assault is unfair. On April 19, another resident doctor from the paediatric department of the same hospital was assaulted,” said a resident doctor.

While the hospital has filed a police complaint after the incident, MARD said the medical education department needs to take the safety of doctors seriously, as this is the eighth incident in the last year.

“This act of violence against a member of the medical community is unacceptable, and we strongly condemn it,” Dr Abhijit Hedge, president of Central MARD, said. “The incident has yet again highlighted the vulnerability of doctors while delivering their service to the patients.”

Dr Sarbik De, vice president of

Central MARD, said repeated incidents of assault on resident doctors also disrupt the academic environment apart from patient care.

“In recent times, there have been several reports of security breaches and incidents that have raised concerns about the safety of students, faculty, and staff within the premises of our medical institutions. These incidents not only threaten the physical well-being of individuals but also disrupt the academic environment, which is crucial for the nurturing of future medical professionals,” he said.

In its demand to the medical education department, MARD said the need for a secure and safe educational setting is paramount. “We believe that it is the administration’s responsibility to ensure that robust security measures are in place,” said Dr Hedge. Officials from the Directorate of Medical Education and Research said they are working on strengthening security in all medical colleges.

This act of violence against a member of the medical community is unacceptable DR ABHIJIT HEDGE, president of Central MARD