Doctors across Tamil Nadu held a protest on Thursday to condemn the violent attack on a government oncologist at a hospital. They also called for better safety for medical professionals.
The Indian Medical Association and Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association led the strike, but it did not affect patient care at the government hospital, according to an official. The senior oncologist, Balaji, who was attacked by a patient's son in the outpatient room on Wednesday, is recovering well.
State Health Minister Ma Subramanian visited Dr. Balaji Jegannathan, an associate professor in medical oncology at the Kalaignar Centenary Super Specialty Hospital in Guindy, to check on his condition earlier in the day.
“There has been good progress in Dr Balaji's health. His vitals are good without any support. He had breakfast in the morning. He spoke to the Minister of Health saying he is doing well and sought to be shifted to ward,” KCSSH director Dr L Parthasarathy said.
When reporters asked about the violent incident at the hospital on Wednesday, he said, "It's natural to feel emotionally upset after a cancer diagnosis. The patient was admitted after the doctors discussed the treatment options with her."
Regarding whether the strike affected medical services, he assured that there were enough doctors to care for the 500 to 600 inpatients and those in the ICU at KCSSH.
“I hope the issue will be resolved amicably soon,” Parthasarathy added.
The 1,000-bedded Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital, where the crime occurred, was inaugurated a year ago. In addition to this facility, the National Centre of Aging (NCA), and the King Institute are functioning on the sprawling campus near the Guindy railway station.
“There's an outpost near the NCA. Police officials said they would establish outposts in all the hospitals lacking such facility," the director said.
“The four-colour tag system for patients’ attendants was introduced at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in early October and it will be expanded to other government facilities,” the Minister said.
He said the police have registered cases under seven sections of the BNS (Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) including an attempt to murder on the attacker Vignesh, who was caught by the hospital staff and public and handed over to the police.
The assailant was allegedly frustrated over the treatment given to his mother who was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in an advanced stage.
“I am stable. They have checked my pacemaker. I am being given antibiotics for the sutures (to seven stab injuries),” Dr Balaji said.
When the Health Minister asked him “How are you feeling Dr Balaji," immediately he replied, “I am recovering well” and demonstrated by eating breakfast.
Despite the shocking attack, Dr. Balaji has expressed his wish to continue serving patients at KCSSH.
Dr. E Therani Rajan, Dean of RGGGH, said the hospital's outpatient services were not affected by the strike.
"Some doctors wanted to protest the stabbing incident, and we did not stop them. Otherwise, everything is running smoothly," he said.
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