Outrage and a demand for justice have gripped doctors at the University College of Medical Science (UCMS) and Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital in New Delhi. Resident doctors have begun an indefinite strike following a brutal attack by a mob of patient attendants on Tuesday, July 9th.
The incident unfolded tragically. A patient who delivered a child on Monday night passed away during surgery the following day. Incensed by this loss, a large group of attendants stormed the hospital on Tuesday morning, vandalizing property and attacking medical staff.
The Resident Doctors' Association (RDA) strongly condemned the violence and outlined a list of demands to ensure the safety of staff and patients. Their demands include a formal police complaint (FIR) against the attackers, immediate arrests, and a significant upgrade to hospital security measures.
The RDA's specific demands include stricter control over patient attendants, increased police presence within the hospital, panic buttons in emergency areas, and the formation of a rapid response team. They have also called for improved security personnel deployment and better communication protocols.
The strike has garnered support from other medical associations, including the Federation of Resident Doctors Association (FORDA) and VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital. These organizations have urged authorities to take swift action against the attackers and expressed solidarity with the UCMS and GTB Hospital doctors.
This incident underscores the critical issue of violence against healthcare workers in India. The indefinite strike disrupts regular medical services at UCMS and GTB Hospital, potentially causing delays in critical patient care.