Nagpur: The safety of doctors at government hospitals has once again come under scrutiny following an alleged assault on a junior resident doctor at the casualty department of Indira Gandhi Government Medical College and Hospital (Mayo) over a treatment-related dispute.
A father-son duo accompanying a patient allegedly abused, manhandled and assaulted the doctor on duty, with the complainant claiming that he was dragged and pushed onto a bed before being scratched on the chest with fingernails. The incident has prompted Tehsil police to register cases under various provisions, including those relating to obstruction of government duty.
The complainant, Dr Sameer Vijay Chandekar, is a first-year junior resident in General Surgery-III at Mayo Hospital.
According to his complaint, Ranjit Jadhav and his son Vedant Jadhav arrived at the hospital around 3.15 pm on November 4. Following preliminary examination by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), they were referred to Dr Chandekar.
Ranjit reportedly informed the doctor that his son’s finger had been severed into two pieces and was bleeding heavily. He also claimed that the detached portion had been brought along.
When the doctor sought to examine the severed portion, the attendants allegedly showed him a piece containing nail and flesh. They reportedly informed him that the patient had initially received treatment and bandaging at Mankapur Primary Health Centre.
Dr Chandekar claimed that the dressing showed no visible blood during examination. He was subsequently heading towards the nursing counter to obtain an X-ray requisition when another critically ill patient arrived, prompting him to attend to the emergency.
The doctor alleged that Ranjit Jadhav became aggressive over the delay, pulled him and pushed him onto a bed. Vedant allegedly joined in the altercation, with both accused abusing and assaulting him and scratching his chest with their fingernails.
Ranjit reportedly threatened the doctor while claiming to be associated with the police department.
Tehsil police registered a case under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). However, the matter took another turn when both sides lodged complaints against each other, resulting in the registration of cross-FIRs.
The incident has renewed concerns over the security of medical personnel attending patients in government hospitals, particularly in casualty departments where doctors routinely handle emergencies and stressful situations.
