Medical assn condemns violence against docs

The Delhi Medical Association (DMA) expressed concern and condemned the increasing incidents of violence against doctors across the country, calling for urgent government intervention and the implementation of stringent protective measures in healthcare institutions.

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In a press statement issued on Wednesday, DMA President Dr Girish Tyagi cited a shocking incident at BSA Hospital, Rohini, where a second-year female DNB resident doctor from the Department of Gynaecology was brutally assaulted by the attendants of a patient on June 9. According to the DMA, the doctor was attacked inside the ward, her clothes were torn and the assailant reportedly tried to strangle her with her stethoscope—all in the full view of hospital staff and patients, without any intervention from the hospital’s security personnel.

Dr Tyagi said the police had registered an FIR under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Delhi Medicare Service Personnel and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2008, against the assailants.

Calling the situation “deeply disturbing,” the DMA announced a peaceful march of around 50 doctors at Rajghat on Friday, at 7 am to initiate a movement for zero tolerance towards violence in healthcare settings. The DMA Executive Committee is also planning severe courses of action, including the potential shutdown of OPD services, if the demands for enhanced protection are not be met, he said. Dr Tyagi urged all DMA members to wear black badges as a mark of protest and solidarity.

Dr Satish Lamba, Honorary State Secretary of DMA, emphasised the role of doctors as the backbone of society. The DMA has urged the government to ensure 24/7 security at hospitals, including the enforcement of a strict limit of two attendants per patient.