Agartala, Aug 3: Tension flared at the emergency ward of GB Pant Hospital in the early hours of Sunday after two on-duty doctors were reportedly assaulted by the sons of a patient who had been admitted following the consumption of poison mixed with alcohol.
The patient, identified as Bimal Sarkar, was brought to the hospital around 3 a.m. and immediately admitted to the emergency ward, where he was given prompt medical attention.
Dr Litan Das, Dr Avik Deb, and Dr Santanu Das were on duty in the emergency unit at the time. Dr Litan Das initially attended to the patient and administered the required treatment. However, later, when the patient’s family summoned him again, a confrontation broke out.
Upon returning to check on the patient, Dr Das was allegedly subjected to verbal abuse and then physically attacked by the patient’s sons, Tapan Sarkar and Papan Sarkar. The situation worsened when Dr Avik Deb intervened to defuse the tension and was also reportedly assaulted and abused by the duo.
Condemning the incident, Dr Shirshendu Dhar, head of the emergency department at GB Pant Hospital, expressed grave concern over the increasing violence against medical professionals. “The doctors at AGMC’s emergency ward have been working relentlessly to ensure proper treatment for every patient. Despite fulfilling their responsibilities, they have become victims of aggression,” he stated.
Dr Dhar also criticised the inadequate response from the police and security personnel stationed at the hospital. “The police officers showed a lackadaisical attitude, and the private security guards failed to act. Even after 12 hours, no FIR by the Police had been filed against those involved,” he lamented.
The incident has sparked resentment in the medical community, with calls growing louder for stricter security measures and legal action against those who assault healthcare workers.
