PGI doctor alleges assault by patient’s attendant

Chandigarh: A senior resident doctor from the department of neurosurgery, PGI was allegedly assaulted by a patient’s attendant at around 11:30am on Monday. The incident took place in the trauma emergency ward, a high-volume unit that manages 50 to 60 patients at any given point of time.The doctor said he was on rounds when he noticed an individual standing in the doctors’ duty room without permission, obstructing the medical team’s path. The neurosurgeon said he repeatedly requested the individual to wait outside, explaining that the patient’s case was not an emergency and would be addressed after rounds were completed.The doctor said that the patient’s son, who is in his 20s, took an aggressive stance, questioning why they were being made to leave.

The doctor alleged that the youth grabbed his collar and assaulted him. The altercation resulted in minor injuries, including scratches on both the doctor’s arms and an injury to his left finger.Hospital security personnel intervened to separate the two. The doctor said that while security guards are generally responsible for managing patient flow and keeping paths clear, the sheer volume of daily patient turnarounds — often nearing 200 — made monitoring difficult.

Also, there is no panic button in the trauma emergency room.Hospital sources said the patient, who was scheduled for a routine, non-emergency procedure, deferred his admission on Monday morning because he was waiting for a private room. His anxious family members subsequently moved to the high-pressure environment of the trauma centre. However, despair quickly turned into anger when the on-duty resident doctor refused to examine the patient immediately, terming the case a non-emergency.The situation escalated after the patient’s son, who had been pursuing the medical staff for an update, entered the doctor’s duty room and sat in a chair right next to him. Sources said this intrusion agitated the resident doctor, sparking a fierce verbal altercation.Following the incident, the Association of Resident Doctors has demanded that the institute administration file an Institutional FIR. “Physical assaults against on-duty medical professionals constitute a criminal offense and must be treated with zero tolerance to prevent recurring threats to healthcare workers,” said the neurosurgeon.The ARD strongly condemned the physical assault on a senior resident from the department of neurosurgery, who was attacked while performing his professional duties.“Violence against healthcare professionals is completely unacceptable and poses a serious threat to the safety of doctors, healthcare workers, and patients. Such incidents not only endanger the lives of medical professionals but also disrupt the delivery of critical emergency healthcare services,” said Dr Vishnu Jhinja, president ARD.He added, “Resident doctors dedicate themselves tirelessly to providing round-the-clock emergency care under challenging circumstances. They deserve a safe and secure workplace free from fear, intimidation, and violence.”BoxThe Association of Resident Doctors demands:1. Immediate registration of an FIR and strict legal action against the individuals responsible2. Strengthening of security arrangements across the Advanced Trauma Centre and all patient care areas of PGI3. Immediate implementation of effective measures to ensure the safety and security of all healthcare workers on duty4. A thorough inquiry into the incident and accountability for any lapses in security