Andhra Pradesh: Protests at Rangaraya Medical College

Andhra Pradesh: Following a case of physical assault by kin of a patient on a woman doctor, the whole staff in Kakinada Government General Hospital (KGGH) and Rangaraya Medical College wore black ribbons to demonstrate their agitation on the issue. There were professors, doctors, and staff from different departments, demanding action against the alleged accused.

The alleged case involves attack on a woman doctor on duty by the relative of a patient four days back. Now, the collective staff has stood for security in the hospital, by representing the issue to Hospital Development Committee (HDC) Chairman and District Collector H Arun Kumar.

The details on the reported incident imply that after a patient K Rajyalakshmi was admitted to ICU for post-operative care, the relatives of the patient started visiting the ICU frequently. Following which the in-charge and assistant professor of anesthesia, Dr S Aruna Kumari, objected to their visits to the hospital (ICU) so many times. The relatives of the patient then attacked Dr Aruna Kumari for asking them so many questions. The assault left Dr Aruna with multiple injuries including blurred vision in right eye for 3 hours.

The kin and the patient ran from the hospital (with the case sheet) in fear of police action. They fled when the doctors were attending to Dr Aruna Kumari. Later, a police complaint was lodged at One-Town.

The Collector is reported to have met Dr Aruna Kumari at KGGH after the assault. She is currently undergoing treatment after the assault.

When contacted, Kakinada sub divisional police officer Suryadevara Venkateswara Rao said to HansIndia that the police were investigating the case and hoping to arrest the accused in the case in a day. Meanwhile, Dr U Sudheer, RMO and member of JAC of doctors threatened the police to intensify the agitation if no action was taken against the erring by Monday.