A Profession at Knives Edge?

A Profession at Knives Edge?

On May 10th 20223, a young doctor Dr.Vandana Das was stabbed to death in Kollam district of Kerala. Kerala Health minister Veena George remarked that that the young doctor could have been scared owing to her "inexperience".
The minister also said that there was adequate security at the hospital where the incident took place.

1. First lets clarify some facts about the incident. This was NOT an incident of a digruntled patient or attender attacking a doctor out of personal anger or vengence. The police brought the assailant, who was in a drunken state, seeking medical care for wounds over his leg. He turned violent and went on to attack the accompanying policeman and stabbed the doctor multiple times. Usually, when the state machinary fails and a life is lost, a compensation is paid to the family of the victim. Despite this occuring while she was on duty, the minstry is yet to announce any compensation for Dr.Vandana's family.

2. Yesterday's was an incident when there were policemen at the scene of the incident (who fled to take cover). Then what about all the other emergency rooms across the country where there is no police?
When doctors protested this issue in 2017, the Bombay High Court asked doctors to resign and stay at home if they were scared. While Judges, ministers, and even filmstars get police protection.

3. This incident is the latest in the long list of the incidents of violence against doctors. It is another reminder of the dangers the medical profession faces. Doctors have to deal with patients who are drunk, delirious, desperate, devasted to widely emotional.
The threat of violence against doctors is real, and we are often defenseless.

4. I understand that it may not be logistically possible for every hospital to have police stationed. But there have to be stronger laws then that serve as a deterant for violence against doctors. It has been the demand of doctors for sometime now, but yet remains unfulfilled.

5. Do the legislature, judiciary and country as a whole believe that it is ok to let the people safeguarding the health of its citizens to have to carry on their duties while their own lives are at risk?
If so, it will have consequences. Yesterday we lost a young colleague, a family their daughter, and society another doctor. But that will not be the only loss. Without change, it will lead to a loss of morale, a questioning of purpose, an exodus of talent, a depreciation in patient care, and eventually the meming of a profession.


Demanding..Requesting..Pleading.. for change.

A Doctor

#doctors #indiandoctors #medicolegal #medlegal #medicallaw #medicalethics #medicalnegligence #violenceagainstdoctors #doctorsprotest