A shocking video went viral on social media, showing a patient physically assaults a female doctor at Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh. The patient, identified as Bangaru Raju, who suffers from epilepsy, was captured in CCTV footage chasing a medical intern, forcibly grabbing her by the hair, and violently banging her head against a steel surface. The distressing incident took place within the hospital premises, where the intern was carrying out her duties. Fortunately, another doctor nearby quickly intervened, managed to overpower the patient, and ensured the intern’s safety before the situation could escalate further.
In the aftermath of the incident, the assaulted intern wrote a letter to SVIMS Director-cum-Vice Chancellor Dr. RV Kumar, detailing the traumatic experience and voicing serious concerns about the hospital's security arrangements. She emphasized that there were no security personnel present at the time of the attack, a glaring oversight that could have had disastrous consequences. The intern stressed that if the patient had been armed with a weapon, such as a knife, the outcome could have been far worse, potentially posing a severe threat to her life.
I was unexpectedly attacked by a patient, Bangaru Raju, who approached me from behind, pulled my hair and began forcibly banging my head against the steel rod of a cot. If the patient had been armed with a sharp weapon, the situation could have escalated with severe consequences
Assaulted Intern in her letter to Dr. RV Kumar, Director-cum-Vice Chancellor, SVIMS
The letter also underscored the broader issue of inadequate security within the hospital, pointing out that such lapses leave medical staff vulnerable to unpredictable and potentially dangerous situations. The incident has since sparked significant public outrage, particularly across social media platforms. Netizens expressed their anger and concern, tagging the Andhra Pradesh police on X (formerly Twitter) and demanding justice for the victim as well as stringent action against the perpetrator.
This incident has drawn disturbing parallels to similar cases of violence against healthcare professionals, such as the recent case at R.G. Kar Hospital. These events have reignited debates about the safety of doctors, particularly female doctors, in medical settings. The increasing frequency of such attacks has led to growing calls for enhanced security measures in all hospital wards and for the implementation of a central law aimed at protecting healthcare professionals from violence.
In response to the incident, other doctors at SVIMS have staged a protest, demanding justice for the assaulted intern and calling for better protection for all medical staff as they carry out their vital duties. The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure the safety and security of healthcare workers across the country.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Yash Kamble/MSM)
