In a shocking incident at Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), Tirupati, a junior woman doctor was brutally attacked by a patient, raising serious concerns about the safety of healthcare workers on duty. The incident, captured on CCTV, has intensified calls for enhanced security measures in hospitals nationwide, especially in the wake of recent tragedies involving medical professionals.
The disturbing footage from the hospital’s Emergency Medicine Department shows the patient, identified as Bangaru Raju, suddenly grabbing the doctor by her hair and repeatedly banging her head against the steel frame of a hospital bed. The attack was stopped only when other doctors in the ward intervened and overpowered the assailant.
In a letter addressed to SVIMS Director cum Vice-Chancellor Dr. RV Kumar, the assaulted doctor recounted the terrifying ordeal. She explained that she was performing her duties on Saturday when the attack occurred without warning. “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,” she wrote. Disturbingly, the doctor also noted the absence of any security personnel at the scene to protect her.
The incident has reignited discussions about the safety of medical professionals, particularly in light of the recent brutal rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. That incident, involving a 31-year-old doctor on duty, led to widespread protests and demands for better protection of healthcare workers.
Following the Tirupati assault, doctors at SVIMS staged a protest, demanding immediate action to enhance workplace safety. The incident has drawn comparisons to the tragedy in Kolkata, highlighting the ongoing dangers faced by healthcare professionals in India.
In response to the growing concerns, the Supreme Court has established a 10-member National Task Force to develop and recommend strategies to prevent violence against healthcare workers and ensure safe working conditions. The task force has been charged with creating an action plan to address gender-based violence and to guarantee a dignified and secure environment for doctors and other medical staff.
Sources By Agencies