‘File Case On Us, But Don’t Assault Us’-Doctors Plea at Mega Protest

‘File Case On Us, But Don’t Assault Us’-Doctors Plea at Mega Protest

‘File Case on Us if we have done anything wrong, But Don’t assault Us’-Doctors Plea at Mega Protest, joined by few thousands of doctors, nurses, medical students and medical staff

Mangaluru: If you did find that many of the hospitals and nursing homes in the City looked quite empty without doctors, staff nurses and other medical staff, except for senior doctors, emergency medical staff-the reason behind it being that thousands of doctors, junior doctors, senior nurses took part in a mega protest today, Monday 22 May 2017 to condemn the assault and abduction of a senior surgeon Dr Abhijith Shetty and a senior lady nursing staff Ms Florence by a mob at Yenepoya Medical and Dental College, Deralakatte here on 16 May 2017.

Following a emergency meeting of the office bearers of IMA, AMC, COS, API, ASI, IDA, Medical Specialty Associations, Hospital Owners Association, Medical Colleges, Nurses on 17 May, it was unanimously decided to have a protest March on 22 May, which would start from Ambedkar (Jyothi) Circle and culminate at Nehru Maidan- and the response was such that a few thousand of medical fraternity showed up to make the protest a grand success. Board members of various Medical Associations also joined in the protest. With many assaults on doctors taking place recently, the problem has only increased in the gravity of late, despite assurances of strict actions by the concerned authorities, including the police.

The incident that took place at Yenepoya Hospital is a ghastly incident and has evoked an unprecedented anger and outrage among the Medical Fraternity. It has tarnished the name of the City and the entire region, which is otherwise a very popular destination for both Medical Education and Healthcare. Hence the Medical Fraternity felt the need to respond to this in a way like never before- because in the past response to Hospital violence has been grossly inadequate, as these incidents have not only been repeated but also in a fearful manner this time. With the Medical Fraternity feeling utterly disappointed, with humiliating frustration, and even anger, this seems to be only civilized manner left to protest, and seek justice.

The protest march which culminated at the Nehru Maidan was addressed by a few doctor speakers, and a 90-year-old freedom fighter named Srinivas Kamath, who said, ” Today if I am alive is only because of the doctors who have taken good care and given the best treatment. They are the life saviours, and they could be considered as God. And assaulting such persons for unnecessary reasons is not a crime but terrorism. As citizens we need to support our doctors on whom we depend for our health care and long life. Assault on doctors should be condemned and suitable strict actions/punishments should be taken on the miscreants”.

Condemning the assault and abduction of the Yenepoya Hospital doctor, Dr Raghavendra Bhat-President of IMA-Mangaluru said, “It is unfortunate that on May 16 2017, Dr Abhijith Shetty was assaulted and dragged, pushed into a vehicle and abducted, and even a senior nursing staff Ms Florence was also abused. The doctor was threatened that he would be thrown into the Netravati river. He later realised that he had been robbed of his gold chain and wrist watch. While assaults on doctors have happened in the past, the problem has only increased in gravity, despite assurance by the authorities and higher-ups. It has tarnished the name of the city and the entire region, which is otherwise a very popular destination for both medical education and healthcare.”

“Even though we have laws to protect the doctors, but they have failed miserably. No one has been punished in the past where many incidents of attack on doctors that had taken place in Sirsi, Dharwad and other cities. In the Yenepoya incident, only 8 have been arrested out of 40 plus that stormed the hospital that night. Assaults on doctors should be stopped, it is not assaulted, it is terrorism! As a president of IMA, this is the fourth time that memorandums have been submitted to DC pertaining to attacks on doctors- and we have not seen any progress. I am happy to see a large gathering here, which shows a great support and encouragement from Medical Fraternity. We need to fight to attain justice.” added Dr Bhat.

He further said, ” The assault incident at Yenepoya hospital has sent shiver down the spine of every civilized person in society. This problem of hospital violence has reached ridiculous proportions, and offenders in the previous incidents have gone unpunished. Unless we all rise up to the occasion, we will only see this repeating in the future, in bigger proportions. If this incident does not prick our conscience to react strongly and forcefully, it is inevitable that we may see a doctor being sexually assaulted or murdered, and all because someone was unhappy with the treatment given! Do we really need to wait for that to happen. Today is the day to fight for our rights. Politicians, government and police should be fair and non-corrupt. Doctors need to be protected to carry on their duties.We need support from the government, police and other concerned authorities. This cruel act on doctors by public need to be stopped. Period”.

Dr Shantaram Shetty- Pro-Chancellor of Nitte University and MD of Tejasvini Hospital also addressing the gathering said, ” Today’s protest is not just to address the incident that took place at Yenepoya Hospital, but to bring to the notice of the government, law enforcement officials and politicians as to how sad and hurtful we are . There is no other responsible job like a doctor, that even at midnight or during the wee hours that we are ready to attend a sick person. Not many recognize the sacrifice that doctors do to the community. The politicians and some media have pushed us to the corner. Everyone takes us for granted. When a lawyer does a mistake, no one attacks him or her. Or when a building collapses due to poor planning of the engineer, no one attacks the engineer. Then why is it that only doctors get attacked when they do a slight mistake, not intentionally. This needs to be stopped”.

“Now how do we stop this cruel acts by the public on doctors. We get blamed for our negligence. Negligence is not the right word- we don’t neglect patients, we treat them like our parents, brothers and sisters. We go according to the protocol. It is the negligence of the supporters of the patient and not that of the doctors. Many a times just to avoid in paying the hospital bills that we see all these incidents and blames on doctors. A government should cut down medical expenses. My appeal to the authorities/bureaucracy, please don’t succumb to political pressure. “added Dr Shantharam Shetty.

While concluding he said, “With such an incident taken place recently, a hospital should have sirens so that other colleagues are alerted so that they come to the rescue soon. God will surely help us in our profession so that we can continue in our medical profession, thereby keeping it alive and strong. Let us all unite together to stop violence in health care and provide a safe working environment for doctors, and other medical staff to do their best, to provide the best treatment and save patients’ lives. I on behalf of all the Medical Fraternity appeal to all sections of the society to support our fight against anti-social elements who are becoming the biggest hurdle in providing effective health acre services.”. Dr K R Kamath- of IMA proposed the vote of thanks.

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