In a troubling incident that underscores the alarming rise in violence against healthcare professionals in India, Dr. Venkatesh B.S. of a Karnataka hospital found himself at the center of a dramatic and violent altercation. Dr. Venkatesh was attending to patients in the outpatient department (OPD) when an incident occurred that would draw significant attention to the safety concerns faced by medical staff.

The situation escalated when a relative of a patient, identified as Taslim, caused a disturbance in the OPD. After Dr. Venkatesh asked Taslim and others to leave due to the disruption, Taslim responded aggressively. Reports indicate that Taslim threw his footwear at Dr. Venkatesh and then grabbed him by the collar, a shocking act of physical aggression against a medical professional.

The incident led to a swift and organized response from the hospital staff. Doctors, expressing their frustration and concern over their safety, staged a protest by closing the OPD and gathering in front of the surgeon's office. They demanded the immediate arrest of Taslim and called for increased security measures to ensure the safety of medical staff. The protest highlighted a growing issue within the healthcare sector, where violence against doctors and medical professionals has become increasingly common.

The situation gained further attention when BJP MLC C.T. Ravi shared a video of the altercation on 'X' (formerly Twitter). In his post, Ravi condemned the attack as a "despicable act" and called for immediate action. He urged Home Minister G. Parameshwara and Director General of Police (DGP) Alok Mohan to take decisive steps to protect medical staff. Ravi's call for action included demands for enhanced security across hospital floors to prevent such incidents in the future.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by healthcare professionals in India. The increasing frequency of violent attacks against doctors highlights the urgent need for systemic changes to protect those who dedicate their lives to caring for others. Enhanced security measures, along with stricter legal actions, are crucial to ensuring the safety of medical staff and maintaining a supportive environment in healthcare settings.

Following the protest, the district surgeons at the hospital filed an official police complaint, detailing the assault, abuse, and threats to Dr. Venkatesh's life. They requested legal action against Taslim and called for increased security measures to ensure the safety of hospital staff. Chikkamagaluru SP Vikram Amathe responded to the situation by confirming that a First Information Report (FIR) had been filed and that the accused had been arrested. SP Amathe also reassured the doctors that their demands had been addressed and urged them to cease their protest.

Input from various sources

(Rehash//Yash Kamble/MSM)