Chittorgarh Doctors Stage Protest After Alleged Assault by Patient's Family
In a disturbing incident highlighting the growing tensions in healthcare settings, doctors at the district hospital in Chittorgarh boycotted work for an hour on Monday. This protest action was triggered by an alleged physical altercation involving family members of a deceased patient and a duty doctor late on Sunday night.
Details of the Patient's Treatment and Subsequent Incident
According to Chittorgarh Superintendent of Police Manish Tripathi, the sequence of events began when 65-year-old Ratanlal Gurjar was brought to the hospital's emergency ward on Sunday night. The patient was suffering from complications related to blood pressure and sugar levels.
Dr. Manish, who was on duty in the emergency department, conducted an initial examination and subsequently admitted Ratanlal Gurjar to the male ward for further treatment. The patient's condition, however, took a sudden turn for the worse, prompting medical staff to transfer him to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Despite immediate intervention, the elderly man succumbed to his ailments while in the ICU.
Alleged Misbehavior and the Doctors' Response
Following the patient's death, family members reportedly became agitated and allegedly pushed and mishandled Dr. Manish. Police authorities were promptly informed and arrived at the scene to de-escalate the situation. SP Tripathi stated that officers managed to pacify the grieving family through counseling and dialogue.
In response to this incident, the medical staff at the district hospital organized a phased work boycott on Monday, abstaining from their duties for one hour. The doctors also took their grievances to the streets, staging a protest rally that culminated at the district collectorate office.
At the collectorate, the protesting doctors submitted a formal memorandum to the Additional District Magistrate (ADM). Their primary demand was enhanced security measures within the hospital premises to protect healthcare workers from such confrontations.
Ongoing Concerns and Official Statements
The protesting medical professionals expressed deep concern, stating that such incidents foster an atmosphere of fear and undue stress for doctors attempting to perform their lifesaving duties. They emphasized the need for a safer working environment to ensure uninterrupted patient care.
From a legal standpoint, SP Manish Tripathi clarified that no formal police report was filed by either party involved, and consequently, no criminal case has been registered in connection with the alleged altercation. The matter was resolved through police mediation at the scene.
This incident in Chittorgarh underscores a broader, national issue regarding the safety of healthcare workers and the challenges they face while dealing with emotionally charged situations in high-pressure medical environments.
