New Delhi|HL
Amid the ongoing corona virus pandemic situation in the country there is continuously assault on healthcare workers in the the country.
A recent case reported on Tuesday at Delhi’s Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital (LNJP) when a group of patients allegedly abused and assaulted them .
The Resident Doctors Association of LNJP Hospital have requested for armed police in all COVID-19 wards .
The government hospital said patients particularly those linked to the Islamic missionary group Tablighi Jamaat have been “a law and order problem” and it was filing a police case against the man who triggered the incident.
Dr.Parv ,President Resident Doctors Association LNJP Hospital said that a patient suspected to have COVID-19 abused and made obscene remarks at a female resident doctor on Tuesday evening.
When her colleagues came to her defence, the patient called others and ganged up on the doctors. They threatened the medical staff, forcing them to hide them in the duty room and call security officials.
However, the guards and marshals did not have protective gear and refused to enter the ward. They entered only after doctors gave them personal protective equipment or PPE.
The doctors on Wednesday wrote to hospital authorities seeking a First Information Report (FIR) and posting armed policemen in all COVID-19 wards. They also sought disciplinary action against senior doctors and security officials who did not act in time.
LNJP is currently a coronavirus-dedicated hospital where 2,000 beds are allotted for COVID-19 patients. The hospital’s Medical Director JC Passey has written a letter to senior police officers, requesting more policemen.
“It is pertinent to mention that the patients particularly those transferred from Markaz (the headquarters of the Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi’z Nizamuddin), are creating a law and order problem and commotion in the hospital which is becoming very difficult for the hospital staff to handle. Therefore it is requested that adequate Police force i.e. at least 4×10=40 Police personnel 24×7 may please be deployed for the safety of Doctors, Nursing and paramedical staff (sic)” the letter said.
The hospital also issued an official statement which said, “One patient became abusive and aggressive and started threatening one of our female resident doctor yesterday evening. She was frightened and rushed towards duty room where she locked herself along with others. This patient then called many more patients and threatened our staff posted there. There was some delay in response from security guards, police personnel and senior faculty members on duty. FIR against the culprit is being filed. Security guards and supervisors have been suspended. Police protection is being strengthened. Explanations from senior doctors is also being sought.”
Earlier this month, two women doctors of the government-run Safdarjung Hospital in assaulted when they buying groceries.
