Hyderabad: In a shocking incident, a mob of nearly 60 people stormed the Mahabubabad Government General Hospital and assaulted doctors, including the hospital superintendent, after the death of a critically ill patient on September 21. Despite doctors’ claims that they tried to revive the patient through CPR, the mob accused them of negligence and held them responsible for the death.
Patient Death Sparks Attack
According to The Hindu, the patient — a woman admitted at 8:30 p.m. with diabetic ketoacidosis, altered sensorium, severe respiratory distress, and oxygen saturation of 60% — succumbed to cardiac arrest around 10 p.m. Doctors said all required treatment was provided, but she could not be revived. Following her death, a mob stormed the ICU, verbally abused and attacked doctors, barged into the superintendent’s chamber, and even issued death threats. The superintendent developed palpitations during the assault and had to be shifted to the ICU.
Police Struggle to Control Situation
Police personnel posted at the hospital outpost initially tried to manage the mob but failed. Additional forces were called to bring the situation under control. Later, the hospital administration filed a complaint with the Mahabubabad Town police station against the attackers.
Doctors’ Protest Across Telangana
Condemning the assault, doctors from 35 government hospitals and medical colleges across Telangana staged a black badge protest on Tuesday. Medical associations including TTGDA, IMA Telangana, Telangana JUDA, TNGO, IMA Warangal, and THANA Warangal extended support. Doctors demanded immediate arrests, stricter security measures, and the establishment of security outposts with SPF personnel at every teaching hospital to prevent similar incidents.
Associations Demand Security, Public Awareness
Commenting on the matter, Dr Kiran Bollepaka, president of Central TTGDA, said: “We appeal to the public to remain patient in difficult situations, as doctors are not gods but professionals doing their best to save lives. Every act of violence against doctors erodes trust in government healthcare.” Dr D. Dwarakanath Reddy, president of IMA Telangana, added that the incident highlighted the vulnerability of healthcare workers due to inadequate physical security in hospitals.
