Hyderabad: Attack on PG doctors triggers protests at Gandhi Hospital

Junior doctors at Gandhi Hospital staged protests after alleged assaults on postgraduate doctors by a patient’s relatives. Medical associations demanded stronger legal protection for healthcare workers, enhanced hospital security measures and immediate enactment of the Telangana Medical Professionals Protection, Safety and Welfare Act.

Hyderabad: An alleged assault on a Post Graduate doctor by relatives of a patient at Gandhi Hospital on Sunday night has sparked massive protests by junior doctors, threatening to derail normal medical services in the top State-run Tertiary Hospital on Monday.

Trouble started when patient attenders allegedly physically attacked PG doctors at IMC General Ward, third floor, Gandhi Hospital on Sunday night. Following the incident, the PG doctors who were attacked have lodged a complaint with the Chilakalguda police.

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The incident triggered backlash, as Junior doctors under Telangana Junior Doctors Association (TJUDA) Gandhi Unit, launched flash protests within the hospital campus on Monday.

The attack has evoked criticism from multiple associations representing government doctors and post-graduate medical doctors, including Telangana Government Doctors Association (TGGDA) and Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association (HRDA).

The alleged attack on medicos has led to the renewed demand for immediate enactment of the ‘Telangana Medical Professionals Protection, Safety and Welfare Act’

“The Act must classify violence against healthcare workers as cognisable and non-bailable offences. It should also have scope for time-bound investigation and fast-track trial mechanisms. It should provide statutory protection against malicious prosecution and coercive legal misuse. Legally enforceable hospital security standards, including CCTV surveillance and rapid-response systems,” the TJUDA demanded.

Following the incident, the medicos, along with senior doctors, on Monday met senior health authorities, including Director of Medical Education (DME), Dr A Narendra Kumar and Superintendent, Gandhi Hospital, Dr Vani and submitted a memorandum, urging quick action against individuals who allegedly assaulted the PG doctors and steps to prevent repeat of such incidents in the future.

In their representation to the authorities, the medicos and PG doctors have made it clear that certain demands are non-negotiable.

Apart from enacting the Safety and Welfare Act, the associations are demanding installation of CCTV cameras, a mandatory rapid-response police linkage system and regulation of crowd management.