The medical fraternity continues to remain under undue duress and unimaginable stress apart from abuse, attack and violent assault following the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic in the country. By the time the first wave was done with its appetite and indications of the curve appearing to flatten came the second wave. The second wave proved to be much worse, painful and horrible having an adverse impact on those at the forefront of health care.
Now with the normal life almost back with a bang despite the occurrence of Delta plus variants and amidst a scare of the Third wave, there hasn't been much change in the plight of Physicians on the job treating the pandemic patients. Every year 01 July is celebrated as Doctors Day in memory of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy popularly renowned as Dr BC Roy. The honour is in recognition of his yeoman service to society as an educationist, philanthropist, freedom fighter and statesman. He remained Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1948 until his death in 1962.
But many doctor bodies preferred not to observe his death anniversary and instead chose to do so as "Covid Martyr Doctors Day". Last year, the country lost 748 doctors in Nine months while 776 of them succumbed to the second wave only in Nine weeks!
The tragic deaths apart, Doctors, health workers and paramedical staff continue to be harassed for doing their duties. But the most unfortunate situation of the Governments continuing to remain mute spectators by not acting and following up with the crimes committed has become a worrisome factor.
100 people attack BIMS!: Here are some instances which took place across the state last year and so far in this year and the status of the action taken. On 19 July 2020, a patient suffering from SARI was admitted to Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences(BIMS) dedicated Covid hospital. However, failure to respond to the treatment led to his death on 22.
Angered over the death a mob of around 100 people vandalized the hospital properties, set the ambulance on fire apart from thrashing the medical staff on duties. As a fallout of hue and cry over the media, some culprits were arrested and interrogation is done. But no follow up is being done at the legal stage, alleges Dr Namratha C., President Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors(KARD).
No mention of a physical attack!: She also complains: "On 31 August 2020 an elderly patient with the influential background was brought by his relatives to Gadag Institute of Medical Sciences(GIMS) with complaints of fever and low oxygen concentration at the time of hospitalisation. Incidentally, the state hospital had made no system to inform on the availability of beds. Yet he was finally admitted in SARI 1 with an oxygen bed...
...The patient was given primary care and a swab test done. However, the patient died within a few hours. The patient attendees turned violent and assaulted anyone with PPE including interns and postgraduates, throwing the case papers. The Director, police and ADC visited the spot and assured action against the culprits".
The intern who was thrashed, refused to lodge a complaint fearing that he will have to waste his time roaming the police station and court. So a complaint on behalf of the institution was filed stating a bunch of goons had damaged hospital property. But it didn't make any mention of the physical assault that took place!
Second Incident in Belagavi: Another violent incident took place at BIMS within a span of a couple of months. An obese female patient with comorbidities and low oxygen saturation came to the casualty on 22nd September 2020 and succumbed within an hour of admission. The doctors on duty attended to the patient on an emergency basis and tried to revive her. In spite of all efforts, the patient couldn't be revived.
Outraged at the death, the patient attenders assaulted pulmonary medicine junior residents verbally and physically. The resident doctors protested demanding legal action against the culprit and increased security around the hospital premises. Though measures were initiated to enhance the security, legal action is still awaited!
Culprit arrested but security not beefed up: Dr Veeresh, an intern was assaulted by the attenders of a patient who died at the ICU of Koppal Institute of Medical Sciences(KIMS) on 02 September 2020 following the death of a patient. Earlier various attempts to contact the attenders to information regarding the critical condition of the patient was not successful as the attenders didn't respond to the calls made from the hospital. One of the culprits was arrested, but assurance of improving the security at the hospital remains unfulfilled to date.
Attack on Holi Day by drunkards: On 29 March 2021, the Holi festival day, a gang under the influence of alcohol being impatient rushed to the casualty of Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences(GIMS) with a case of stab injury at the abdomen in a critical condition. The situation at the hospital was so horrible that the treating doctors were not given space to perform their duties, health care workers manhandled and costly hospital properties damaged. However, no legal action was followed up according to the Registry of KARD.
FIR lodged; Culprits took to custody, security increased: On 19 May 2020 a mob of 20-30 people gatecrashed the Mysore Medical College and Research Institute following the death of a young Covid positive patient. They manhandled the duty doctors at the restricted area abusing them verbally and physically.
As a result, the Resident doctors had to walk away from their duties and fight for their rights seeking justice. An FIR has been lodged against the culprits apart from taking them into custody. The security has also been beefed up following the incident.
Complaint lodged but legal action awaited: On 04 May 2021 a critical patient on the invasive mode of ventilation succumbed in spite of initiating bag ventilation and CPR. Following the death of the patient, the attenders verbally abused and physically assaulted a final year medicine Resident doctor on duty at the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences(MIMS).
Following the failure of power supply in ICU and the ventilator having no battery back up resulted in the stop of oxygen delivery leading to the death. Although a memorandum was submitted against the culprit legal action is still awaited.
Complaint lodged but action pending: The incident took place on 07 May 2021 when the staffers of Dr BR Ambedkar Medical College in the city walked out following a physical attack on the doctors and nurses. Family members of a deceased patient were demanding the case sheet while blaming the doctors for the death. In spite of being told that the case sheet cannot be handed over as per rules, but a copy can be shared once the procedures were over. the relatives were in no mood to relent.
The relatives physically assaulted the doctors and nurses on duty, apart from pushing the tables and permanently damaging the ventilator. A complaint was lodged but action against the culprits is yet awaited!
Patient brought dead and doctors attacked: On 10 May 2021 at around 2 PM a patient was brought dead to the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences(KIMS) in Hubballi. As soon as the doctors on duty after examining and declaring the death, furious patient attenders bypassing the security manhandled the health care workers in Casualty. Though a memorandum was submitted to the college authorities, no action has been taken against the culprits. However, measures to step up security are being initiated.
Culprits arrested; Tight security ensured: A second incident took place at Mysore Medical College and Research Institute on 13 May 2021 within a month leaving every resident doctor in a state of disgust. On arrival of a Covid suspect patient with low saturation in a critical condition, on-duty doctors after attending the patient explained about the condition. The attendees were also briefed about the poor prognosis of the patient, the non-availability of ICU beds and suggested to shift to another hospital.
But the attendees instead of comprehending the situation manhandled the Ambulance driver, Resident doctors and other health care workers on duty. Following the attack, the resident doctors walked off the duty raising their voices for justice. Incidentally, the culprits were brought to book and additional security guards deployed.
Culprit arrested; Security enhancement under process: This incident took place at Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Ballari on 22 May 2021. A 60+ years Male Covid patient was admitted to the Covid ward. During the course of treatment, the patient had Myocardial ischemia and was treated on an emergency basis. As part of the treatment, the patient attendee was asked to get few medications. Meanwhile, the patient had a sudden cardiac arrest. CPR was initiated and in spite of all necessary treatment given, the patient succumbed. His enraged son slapped the female Resident doctors on duty using abusive words.
The Resident doctors submitted a memorandum seeking justice, following which the culprit was arrested. However, the deployment of a few additional security guards is still under process.
The Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors(KARD) has demanded the setting up of a state-level legal cell as a one-time solution for resolving the long-standing issue of assault on health care workers. The doctors' body claims it to be the first kind of initiative in the country. Apart from aiming at preventing further assaults the measure also intends in following up the pending cases, says Dr Namratha C., KARD President.
-Manohar Yadavatti
Now with the normal life almost back with a bang despite the occurrence of Delta plus variants and amidst a scare of the Third wave, there hasn't been much change in the plight of Physicians on the job treating the pandemic patients. Every year 01 July is celebrated as Doctors Day in memory of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy popularly renowned as Dr BC Roy. The honour is in recognition of his yeoman service to society as an educationist, philanthropist, freedom fighter and statesman. He remained Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1948 until his death in 1962.
But many doctor bodies preferred not to observe his death anniversary and instead chose to do so as "Covid Martyr Doctors Day". Last year, the country lost 748 doctors in Nine months while 776 of them succumbed to the second wave only in Nine weeks!
The tragic deaths apart, Doctors, health workers and paramedical staff continue to be harassed for doing their duties. But the most unfortunate situation of the Governments continuing to remain mute spectators by not acting and following up with the crimes committed has become a worrisome factor.
100 people attack BIMS!: Here are some instances which took place across the state last year and so far in this year and the status of the action taken. On 19 July 2020, a patient suffering from SARI was admitted to Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences(BIMS) dedicated Covid hospital. However, failure to respond to the treatment led to his death on 22.
Angered over the death a mob of around 100 people vandalized the hospital properties, set the ambulance on fire apart from thrashing the medical staff on duties. As a fallout of hue and cry over the media, some culprits were arrested and interrogation is done. But no follow up is being done at the legal stage, alleges Dr Namratha C., President Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors(KARD).
No mention of a physical attack!: She also complains: "On 31 August 2020 an elderly patient with the influential background was brought by his relatives to Gadag Institute of Medical Sciences(GIMS) with complaints of fever and low oxygen concentration at the time of hospitalisation. Incidentally, the state hospital had made no system to inform on the availability of beds. Yet he was finally admitted in SARI 1 with an oxygen bed...
...The patient was given primary care and a swab test done. However, the patient died within a few hours. The patient attendees turned violent and assaulted anyone with PPE including interns and postgraduates, throwing the case papers. The Director, police and ADC visited the spot and assured action against the culprits".
The intern who was thrashed, refused to lodge a complaint fearing that he will have to waste his time roaming the police station and court. So a complaint on behalf of the institution was filed stating a bunch of goons had damaged hospital property. But it didn't make any mention of the physical assault that took place!
Second Incident in Belagavi: Another violent incident took place at BIMS within a span of a couple of months. An obese female patient with comorbidities and low oxygen saturation came to the casualty on 22nd September 2020 and succumbed within an hour of admission. The doctors on duty attended to the patient on an emergency basis and tried to revive her. In spite of all efforts, the patient couldn't be revived.
Outraged at the death, the patient attenders assaulted pulmonary medicine junior residents verbally and physically. The resident doctors protested demanding legal action against the culprit and increased security around the hospital premises. Though measures were initiated to enhance the security, legal action is still awaited!
Culprit arrested but security not beefed up: Dr Veeresh, an intern was assaulted by the attenders of a patient who died at the ICU of Koppal Institute of Medical Sciences(KIMS) on 02 September 2020 following the death of a patient. Earlier various attempts to contact the attenders to information regarding the critical condition of the patient was not successful as the attenders didn't respond to the calls made from the hospital. One of the culprits was arrested, but assurance of improving the security at the hospital remains unfulfilled to date.
Attack on Holi Day by drunkards: On 29 March 2021, the Holi festival day, a gang under the influence of alcohol being impatient rushed to the casualty of Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences(GIMS) with a case of stab injury at the abdomen in a critical condition. The situation at the hospital was so horrible that the treating doctors were not given space to perform their duties, health care workers manhandled and costly hospital properties damaged. However, no legal action was followed up according to the Registry of KARD.
FIR lodged; Culprits took to custody, security increased: On 19 May 2020 a mob of 20-30 people gatecrashed the Mysore Medical College and Research Institute following the death of a young Covid positive patient. They manhandled the duty doctors at the restricted area abusing them verbally and physically.
As a result, the Resident doctors had to walk away from their duties and fight for their rights seeking justice. An FIR has been lodged against the culprits apart from taking them into custody. The security has also been beefed up following the incident.
Complaint lodged but legal action awaited: On 04 May 2021 a critical patient on the invasive mode of ventilation succumbed in spite of initiating bag ventilation and CPR. Following the death of the patient, the attenders verbally abused and physically assaulted a final year medicine Resident doctor on duty at the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences(MIMS).
Following the failure of power supply in ICU and the ventilator having no battery back up resulted in the stop of oxygen delivery leading to the death. Although a memorandum was submitted against the culprit legal action is still awaited.
Complaint lodged but action pending: The incident took place on 07 May 2021 when the staffers of Dr BR Ambedkar Medical College in the city walked out following a physical attack on the doctors and nurses. Family members of a deceased patient were demanding the case sheet while blaming the doctors for the death. In spite of being told that the case sheet cannot be handed over as per rules, but a copy can be shared once the procedures were over. the relatives were in no mood to relent.
The relatives physically assaulted the doctors and nurses on duty, apart from pushing the tables and permanently damaging the ventilator. A complaint was lodged but action against the culprits is yet awaited!
Patient brought dead and doctors attacked: On 10 May 2021 at around 2 PM a patient was brought dead to the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences(KIMS) in Hubballi. As soon as the doctors on duty after examining and declaring the death, furious patient attenders bypassing the security manhandled the health care workers in Casualty. Though a memorandum was submitted to the college authorities, no action has been taken against the culprits. However, measures to step up security are being initiated.
Culprits arrested; Tight security ensured: A second incident took place at Mysore Medical College and Research Institute on 13 May 2021 within a month leaving every resident doctor in a state of disgust. On arrival of a Covid suspect patient with low saturation in a critical condition, on-duty doctors after attending the patient explained about the condition. The attendees were also briefed about the poor prognosis of the patient, the non-availability of ICU beds and suggested to shift to another hospital.
But the attendees instead of comprehending the situation manhandled the Ambulance driver, Resident doctors and other health care workers on duty. Following the attack, the resident doctors walked off the duty raising their voices for justice. Incidentally, the culprits were brought to book and additional security guards deployed.
Culprit arrested; Security enhancement under process: This incident took place at Vijayanagar Institute of Medical Sciences, Ballari on 22 May 2021. A 60+ years Male Covid patient was admitted to the Covid ward. During the course of treatment, the patient had Myocardial ischemia and was treated on an emergency basis. As part of the treatment, the patient attendee was asked to get few medications. Meanwhile, the patient had a sudden cardiac arrest. CPR was initiated and in spite of all necessary treatment given, the patient succumbed. His enraged son slapped the female Resident doctors on duty using abusive words.
The Resident doctors submitted a memorandum seeking justice, following which the culprit was arrested. However, the deployment of a few additional security guards is still under process.
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| Dr Namratha C. |
The Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors(KARD) has demanded the setting up of a state-level legal cell as a one-time solution for resolving the long-standing issue of assault on health care workers. The doctors' body claims it to be the first kind of initiative in the country. Apart from aiming at preventing further assaults the measure also intends in following up the pending cases, says Dr Namratha C., KARD President.
-Manohar Yadavatti
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