Bhopal : In a disturbing incident of violence against healthcare professionals, Azeem Shahbaz, a resident doctor pursuing his PG course at AIIMS Bhopal, was assaulted by a relative of a patient. The altercation occurred after Shahbaz informed the patient’s family about the critical condition and low survival chances of their relative, who had been admitted following a serious bike accident.
Incident Details:
- The incident took place around 1 pm in the emergency ward after a 39-year-old patient, critically injured in a bike accident, was brought in by two attendants.
- After the patient’s condition was evaluated, doctors informed the relatives that survival chances were slim. This led to an enraged relative physically assaulting the doctor by grabbing him by the neck, tearing his clothes, and attempting to strike him in the face.
- The attack was stopped by swift intervention from hospital security guards and police, who were stationed on the premises. The assailant was then handed over to the Bagsewaniya Police Station.
Police Action:
A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed under the Madhya Pradesh Protection of Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2008. This includes charges against the primary attacker and his associates.
Institutional Response:
- AIIMS Bhopal has reiterated its commitment to providing quality care to the patient despite the assault.
- Dr. Ketan Mehra, from the hospital, emphasized that security measures would be reinforced in light of this incident, especially given the growing concerns about violence against medical professionals in India.
This incident highlights the increasing need for enhanced security and legal protection for doctors, as attacks on healthcare workers continue to rise.
