Another Chennai Doctor Attacked by Patient at Govt Hospital; Second Assault in a Day

Chennai: Hours after a doctor at state-run Kalaignar Centenary Super-Specialty Hospital was stabbed multiple times by a patient's kin in Chennai, another city doctor came under attack.

The latest incident was reported at a government hospital in Chennai on Wednesday, following a brutal attack on a senior oncologist at Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital.

The victim, identified as Dr Hariharan, who works as an assistant professor in government-run Stanley Medical College’s Department of Psychology. The accused, identified as Bharat from Neelankarai, had been admitted at the hospital for the past month. Subsequently, Bharat was arrested on the basis of a complaint by hospital authorities.

The condition of the victim doctor was said to be in a stable condition as he received timely medical attention.

Earlier on Wednesday, Dr Balaji, oncologist and a teacher at Kalaignar hospital was stabbed seven times by the son of a former patient. Dr Balaji sustained serious stab wounds in the attack and admitted for treatment.

The incident also drew attention of the Indian Medical Association ( IMA ) who condemned the attack and said that health professionals in the country were stunned by the lack of safety for them. Voicing concerns over the incident, the IMA said: “No amount of superficial damage control exercises by governments is going to make doctors work without fear in this country. Strong deterrent legislation, exemplary punishments and proactive safety measures are required now and here. All governments have been put on notice of this heinous crime.”

Chennai Hospital Attack: What Happened Exactly  

A medical oncologist at the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital was stabbed multiple times by the son of a patient allegedly over grievances regarding the treatment of his mother at the same facility, a hospital official said. The man assaulted the doctor inside the outpatient room during a conversation regarding his mother's treatment.

He was immediately apprehended by the hospital staff and handed over to the police, and he was arrested. The doctor is being treated, and he is stable, the official said.

The attack led to an outrage and doctors and nurses gathered in front of the hospital entrance to mark their strong protest. "We do not have safety while doing our duty," one of the protesting KCSSH doctors said. Government doctors announced a strike and Health Minister Ma Subramanian is set to hold talks with them. 

CM Expresses Shock

Expressing shock, Chief Minister M K Stalin said the assailant had been arrested and that he had ordered a detailed probe. All steps will be taken to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future, the CM said.

AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami said there was no security for a 'government doctor in a government hospital,' and it showed the status of the law and order situation. Palaniswami, the leader of the opposition, sought strict action against the culprit.