Emergency, OPD services hit at Delhi hospital as doctors hold strike over assault on colleague

Emergency and OPD services were hit at Maharshi Valmiki Hospital in Delhi on Monday as resident doctors began an indefinite strike over an alleged assault on medical staff following a patient’s death two days ago.

The shutdown began at 8 am, with the hospital’s Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA) saying it would continue the strike until the alleged attackers are arrested and an FIR is registered.

The incident took place at around 12.15 am on September 12 when a patient with a stab wound to his right thigh was brought to the casualty department in a critical condition, accompanied by a police PCR team, the RDA said in a statement.

It further said that the patient had reportedly suffered heavy blood loss and was hypotensive and disoriented, adding that, despite treatment, he suddenly collapsed while being attended to by doctors.

The RDA alleged that after the death, the policeman accompanying the patient left the casualty while a mob gathered outside. The patient’s family allegedly took away the body and members of the mob attacked doctors with sticks and stones.

“The doctors and staff had to run for their lives and were chased to the staff quarters. They, including the female staff, were continuously abused and threatene. The mob also tried to forcibly enter the quarters, banged on the doors and threw stones at them,” the association said.

The doctors said the attack had left them concerned about their safety at a hospital where they claimed similar incidents had occurred despite assurances from the administration.

“Without adequate security, we are left to ourselves to run and save our lives. This is not the first such incident, and it is the third incident within the last 10 days. Despite an earlier similar incident and assurances by the administration, no effective action has been taken,” the RDA said.

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The association has demanded a high-level impartial judicial inquiry into the incident, immediate arrest of those responsible and registration of an FIR by the institution. It said emergency and elective services would remain suspended until the administration took “strong and immediate action”.

The strike has also drawn support from resident doctors at Maulana Azad Medical College and its associated hospitals.

“Resident doctors are an integral part of the public healthcare system and work round the clock under demanding conditions. A safe workplace, adequate manpower and appropriate security arrangements are essential not only for the well-being of doctors but also for ensuring safe and effective patient care,” it said.