New Delhi: In a disturbing incident of hospital violence, a third-year postgraduate resident doctor in the paediatric department at ESI Hospital, Basaidarapur, was allegedly verbally abused, physically assaulted, and nearly strangled by a patient’s attendants while on duty on January 17, 2026.
Details of the Assault
According to the doctor’s written complaint, the incident occurred around 10 am when he noticed that a patient and the patient’s medical file were missing from the paediatric ward. The patient was later found to have been taken to the sampling room for routine investigations. Upon returning, the patient’s attendants reportedly confronted the doctor over the earlier incident.
Verbal Abuse and Physical Attack
The doctor alleged that three individuals—including the patient’s parents and another attendant—verbally abused him, accusing him of negligence despite the patient being under medical care for three days. When the doctor asked them to leave the ward, security guards arrived, but the situation escalated into physical violence.
Attempted Strangulation and Injuries
The complaint stated that the patient’s parents attempted to strangle the doctor using his stethoscope, while another attendant pulled his hair and assaulted him. The doctor sustained a head injury and reported significant physical and mental trauma as a result of the attack.
Legal and Administrative Implications
The doctor described the incident as criminal intimidation, verbal abuse, physical assault on a public servant on duty, attempt to cause grievous harm, obstruction of official medical duties, and violence within hospital premises, urging authorities to take strict action.
Condemnation from Medical Associations
The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) condemned the attack, demanding justice for the assaulted doctor and highlighting the rising trend of violence against medical professionals. Similarly, the Democratic Medical Association (DMA) called for immediate action and accountability, emphasizing that hospitals should be safe spaces for healing.
Student and Youth Reaction
Dr. Mohammad Momin Khan, Vice President of the All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA), J&K, described the attack as “horrible” and called for urgent intervention, warning that the safety of doctors inside hospitals must be guaranteed.
Growing Concerns Over Violence in Hospitals
This incident adds to an alarming pattern of assaults on healthcare workers in Delhi and across India, raising concerns about the lack of protective legislation and urgent need for enforcement to safeguard medical professionals during duty hours.
