Incident Overview
Surat: In a shocking incident at KSB Olympia Dream Children Hospital in Pandesara, an on-duty doctor was allegedly verbally abused and slapped 12 times by an enraged attendant over a referral dispute involving a critically ill child.
The doctor had advised the child’s family to transfer the patient to another hospital due to the lack of ICU facilities. While the family initially agreed and left, one of the four attendants, reportedly intoxicated, returned after 20 minutes and entered the doctor’s chamber, unleashing a violent attack.
CCTV Footage Shows Assault
The assault was captured on CCTV installed above the doctor’s desk. The footage shows the doctor seated and scrolling through his phone when the attendant suddenly approached and began slapping him repeatedly. Despite the doctor’s attempts to defend himself, the attacker continued both verbal abuse and physical assault.
Attack on Hospital Staff
When hospital staff intervened to stop the assault, the attacker also allegedly abused them verbally, highlighting the extreme aggression of the incident. The doctor was reportedly slapped 12 times in quick succession before help arrived.
The hospital administrator stated, “Before the doctor could react, he was slapped 12 times. When staff rushed to protect him, the man became abusive towards them too.”
Medical Fraternity Reacts
The attack has shocked the medical community, raising serious concerns about hospital security and the growing trend of violence against healthcare workers. A senior paediatrician from Surat Civil Hospital condemned the attack: “This is not just an attack on a doctor, but an attack on the healthcare system. Doctors must feel safe to treat patients without fear.”
Police Action
The doctor, supported by the hospital, immediately filed a complaint at Pandesara police station. An FIR has been registered against the attacker.
A police officer said, “We are taking the complaint very seriously. Assaulting a doctor on duty is a non-bailable offence. The accused will be booked under strict legal provisions to ensure justice.”
