Widespread Outrage as CCTV Footage Shows Brutal Attack Following Patient’s Death; Medical Community Demands Arrests, Security Measures
Srinagar — In a deeply disturbing incident highlighting the growing threat to healthcare professionals, two female postgraduate doctors at Government Medical College (GMC) and Hospital, Jammu, were verbally abused and physically assaulted by attendants of a terminally ill patient who died during treatment in the emergency ward on July 16.
The assault, captured on hospital CCTV and now viral on social media, shows one woman kicking a first-year PG ENT resident in the abdomen while hurling verbal abuses. Another third-year female postgraduate doctor also sustained serious leg injuries during the attack.
Patient’s Kin Blame Doctors, Hospital Denies Negligence
The violence erupted after the death of a patient who had been referred from PGI Chandigarh with a poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage and a grave prognosis. The patient was admitted to GMC Jammu on June 11, underwent a tracheostomy, and passed away after developing respiratory complications.
Following his death, family members accused doctors of medical negligence, claiming he had been stable. Hospital officials, however, strongly refuted the claim, stressing that PGI had clearly communicated the patient’s poor prognosis.
GMC Principal Dr. Ashutosh Gupta stated, “He aspirated during an emergency procedure and despite immediate medical intervention, he could not be saved. This was not an elective procedure, and there was no negligence.”
Flash Strike by Doctors, Emergency Services Hit
The incident sparked outrage among junior doctors, who launched an immediate flash strike, demanding:
- Immediate arrest of the attackers
- Security cover at all government healthcare institutions
- Zero tolerance policy against violence on medical professionals
The Resident Doctors Association (RDA), GMC Jammu declared a complete shutdown of emergency and OPD services, stating that the strike would continue until all perpetrators were arrested.
“This is not just a protest — it is a stand to protect our fraternity and demand a safe working environment,” the RDA said in a press release.
Authorities Deploy Senior Staff to Manage Emergency Ward
To avoid a complete healthcare collapse, GMC authorities instructed all clinical and para-clinical HoDs to ensure deployment of senior faculty and consultants in the emergency department until junior doctors resume duty.
FIR Registered, Medical Bodies Demand Strict Action
An FIR has been registered and an official investigation is underway. Meanwhile, the incident has drawn widespread condemnation from several medical associations:
- Indian Medical Association (IMA), Jammu called the attack “unacceptable” and demanded decisive legal action and permanent safety measures in hospitals.
- Doctors Association Jammu (DAJ) warned that “continued violence against doctors will collapse the healthcare system.”
- Jammu and Kashmir Medical Students’ Association posted on X, saying, “Doctors are human too. Any grievance must be addressed through proper channels, not through violence.”
Growing Concern Over Safety of Medical Professionals
This attack is the latest in a string of violent incidents targeting doctors across India, sparking renewed debate on the need for a Central Medical Protection Act.
The medical fraternity in Jammu and Kashmir has made it clear: Until the attackers are arrested and concrete security measures are introduced, they will not return to work. For now, senior faculty are holding the front lines, but the long-term fallout on patient care remains a growing concern.
