Resident doctors at SSG Hospital (SSGH) in Vadodara launched a strike on Thursday to protest an alleged assault by relatives of a 78-year-old woman, Ranjan Vyas. The woman's body had decomposed in the hospital mortuary after being kept there since Monday evening, awaiting the arrival of family members from the United States.
Incident Details
The body was found decomposed after approximately 36 hours. This led to a disturbance by the deceased woman's relatives on Wednesday, resulting in an assault on hospital staff. Security personnel and police were called to the scene to restore order.
Doctors' Response
Following the alleged violence, resident doctors initiated a strike, while faculty members submitted representations to hospital authorities demanding action against those responsible. The doctors are calling for enhanced security on campus, improved CCTV coverage, and better lighting, claiming that existing security measures are insufficient. They noted that four to five similar incidents targeting doctors have occurred in the past three months.
Services and Official Actions
Despite the strike, resident doctors assured that emergency and outpatient department (OPD) services would continue. District collector Anil Dhameliya and senior police officials visited the hospital and held discussions with the administration and junior doctors. The Gujarat Medical Teachers Association (GMTA) has also taken up the matter with the state government, with medical teachers issuing a 48-hour deadline for action. As of late Thursday evening, the strike continued with no resolution announced.
