CHENNAI: Over 70 doctors protested at the Institute of Child Health (ICH) Hospital, Egmore on Monday after a doctor was beaten by enraged kin of a baby that died in the hospital. It was claimed that police present failed to take any action.
According to Dr Ragunathan, resident medical officer (RMO) of the hospital, Sabari, a two- and-a-half months old baby boy born to a couple from MGR Nagar, Taramani was admitted on December 6.
“However, the baby died the same day around 4pm. The baby was admitted for insufficient weight gain and sepsis and died because of these conditions and also suspected milk asphyxia,” Dr Ragunathan added.
The father of the baby, Manikandan, and other relatives protested. Manikandan and two others assaulted Dr Dinesh Kumar, a(first year PG student, Madras Medical College (MMC).
The assault was said to have taken place in the presence police, whom the doctors accused of being mute spectators.
“They (child’s relatives) kicked the doctor and pushed him as the doctor was entering a ward,” said Dr Kesava Raj, a second year PG student.
Dinesh Kumar was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital as he suffered blood clot on his leg and later discharged, said Dr R Vimala, dean, MMC. This also disrupted the out-patient service after duty doctors boycotted work and protested in the hospital from 8 am to 11 pm.
The doctors dispersed after police registered a complaint against the attackers and promised action. An First Information Report (FIR) has been filed at the Egmore police station.
Speaking on the issue, Dr Balakrishnan, president, Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association, who submitted the petition to the ICH director Dr Sundari, said, “The assailants should be arrested immediately. If police fail, we will consider further action.”
The PG doctors and the doctors associations also demanded a police outpost on campus and armed force protection in the hospital. The doctors also demanded action against police who were mute spectators during the assault.
The doctors also submitted a petition to the Commissioner of Police, Chennai on this issue.