Posted By :  Admin1

Puducherry: A resident doctor at the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Post Graduate Institute (IGGGHPGI) in Puducherry faced a severe neck injury after being attacked with a knife by the father of a patient who was apparently under the influence of alcohol late on Monday. Dr. Naveen Kumar (31), a postgraduate student in Ophthalmology from Tirupattur, Tamil Nadu, was participating in a three-month District Residency Program (DRP) at the IGGGHPGI. Hospital sources reported that the doctor sustained a deep neck laceration requiring 18 sutures and suffered a marginal mandibular nerve injury. Fortunately, despite the cut being just two inches above the carotid artery, Naveen managed to avoid a potentially fatal injury, according to hospital authorities. The attack occurred while the doctor was standing near the casualty entrance, awaiting a food delivery, in what was described as an unprovoked assault by sources. Police revealed that the assailant, Vinoth Kumar (39), the father of a patient being treated for injuries from a two-wheeler accident, was allegedly intoxicated during the attack. Kumar, an autorickshaw driver from Boomianpet, Puducherry, had been causing disturbances in the hospital after his son and two other boys, aged between 12 and 14, were admitted following a two-wheeler accident on Monday. Tragically, one of the boys succumbed to their injuries, while the other two were receiving treatment at the hospital's trauma care unit. Kumar had been repeatedly causing disruptions to the hospital staff by entering the ward and interfering with treatment. At around 8:30 pm, he approached the casualty gate and assaulted Naveen. Following the attack, duty doctors at the Puducherry Government Hospital went on strike, demanding increased security for healthcare workers. Several medical associations, including the Pondicherry Government Medical Officer Association and the Indian Medical Association, joined in support. Lok Sabha member V Vaithilingam and MLA G Nehru also intervened. After Kumar's arrest under Sections 324 and 506(ii) of the IPC and assurances for improved security for hospital staff, the strike was called off. However, medical officers from Villianur Primary Health Center and Yanam Government Hospital continued their protests, seeking enhanced security measures. The assault on Dr. Naveen highlights broader concerns regarding the necessity for better security for healthcare workers and the difficulties in regulating the presence of patients' attendants on hospital premises. Dr. G Sriramulu, the Director of Health, mentioned that on Sunday, three individuals entered the hospital and harassed women and staff while under the influence of some substance. They had to be sedated and discharged the following day. Large groups of patients' relatives often accompany patients to hospitals, with approximately 50 individuals recently accompanying a single patient, he noted. Discussions between health officials, police authorities, and medical representatives have led to considerations for enhancing security measures, including the possibility of deploying armed police personnel on hospital premises. Additionally, there are plans to restrict the entry of attendants to ensure the safety and well-being of medical personnel, according to Dr. Sriramulu.