Doctors across Tamil Nadu staged a protest on Thursday condemning the brutal attack on a government oncologist at a hospital here, and also demanded safety to medical professionals.State Health Minister Ma Subramanian informed that the government has introduced triage tag based on the urgency of medical needs of the patients from today. The patientsâ attendants would be provided (temporary) identity cards.
âOncologist Balaji is recovering well and he is being closely monitored in the ICU. He would be shifted to the ward today after tests,â Subramanian told reporters after visiting the recuperating doctor.
The medical oncologist working at Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital here was stabbed atleast seven times on Wednesday by the son of a patient allegedly over grievances regarding the treatment of his mother at the same facility.
The Federation of Government Doctors Association (FoGDA) announced a boycott of all non-patient activities on Thursday.
While the federation said it would stay away from only non-medical activities like review meetings, document work for Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, all teaching activities in medical colleges, a report said government doctors at many places in Tamil Nadu, including Kancheepuram and Bodinayakkanur boycotted work to register their protest over the attack.
This affected many patients, especially those in the outpatient departments, who were unable to receive treatment.
Meanwhile, DMK MP Kanimozhi NVN Somu said, “The doctor is fine, he absolutely stable, he spoke to us. He is very happy that we doctors are meeting him and giving support…he is not agitated…though whatever he has gone through.
This is a general hospital and there are only a limited number of doctors. We are trying to give at most care to all the patients. Oncology is all the more sensitive. Cancer cannot be cured just like that.” She further said that the cancer patient had not been undergoing treatment for three months and had returned on Wednesday morning.
Also, The Tamil Nadu government has issued 11 guidelines aimed at ensuring the safety and security of doctors and nurses working in primary healthcare centers.
This move comes after an incident at the Kalaignar Government Hospital in Guindy, where Dr. Balaji was attacked by a youth named Vignesh, who has since been arrested by the police. Following the incident, doctors’ associations urged the state government to take concrete measures to ensure the safety of medical professionals. Chief Minister Stalin had assured that necessary steps would be taken to guarantee their protection.
To address the safety and welfare of doctors and medical staff working in government primary healthcare centers, Dr. Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health, has issued the following directives:
Key Guidelines
Display of Punitive Measures: Clear signs displaying the penalties under the âPrevention of Violence and Damage or Loss of Property Actâ should be placed prominently in all primary healthcare center premises. These signs should be in both Tamil and English, emphasizing that such offenses are non-bailable.
Under this law, any act of violence against healthcare workers or damage to property within primary healthcare centers is considered a serious offense, punishable by three to ten years of imprisonment and a fine.
Formation of Security Committees: Immediate establishment of medical safety and anti-violence committees in primary healthcare centers is mandated to strengthen and implement safety measures.