Attack on doctor at Amritsar hospital exposes security issues

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 15

The recent incident in which a doctor at Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs’ Memorial Civil Hospital was shot at has once again exposed the lack of security at the place.

What happened on Sunday

• Dr Bhavneet Singh, an emergency medical officer at Amritsar Civil Hospital, was hit by a bullet, which was fired indiscriminately by the members of a group, who had earlier clashed in the Putlighar area on March 13-14 night and later arrived at the hospital for medical services
• Dr Singh was on duty as the EMO at night and he tried to intervene between the two groups, when one of them started firing indiscriminately
• He received a bullet in his thigh, after which the accused fled from the place

It is not the first incident and such acts of violence against the medical staff have been reported in the past as well.

The Civil Hospital often examines and treats patients injured in drunken brawls and other clashes between people. Sometimes both groups come face to face with each other while they have arrived for medico-legal services and things take an ugly turn.

Doctor shot at as groups clash in Amritsar hospital

“In such circumstances when a large number of people are angry and are vouching for each other’s blood, the medical staff being the soft and vulnerable target has to pay the price,” said an employee at the hospital.

The medical staff said even if the members of the security staff and police are present on the occasion, they mostly remain indifferent.

After the condemnation of the incident by different associations associated with medical fraternity and the threat by the Civil Hospital doctors to not handle medico-legal cases, the police authorities deputed eight cops and a sub-inspector to guard the hospital.

The hospital employees said the decision would instill confidence in the staff, but they demanded that strict punishment be given to those responsible for the violence, so that this acts as a deterrent for future.

Meanwhile, the medical staff at Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Hospital, Majitha Road, boycotted medical services for two hours and demanded arrest of the culprits.

Shamsher Singh Kohri from the Punjab State Pharmacy Officers’ Association and general secretary Ashok Kumar said they stand united with Dr Bhavneet Singh, who was injured in the incident, demanding security of medical employees.

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