A female medical officer was allegedly slapped and verbally abused by a man brought by police for a medical examination at a primary health centre in Talegaon Shyamji Pant, Ashti taluka, in Wardha district, India.
The incident triggered protests by healthcare workers, with medical officers across the district boycotting their duties on Thursday.
The incident reportedly took place around midnight on Wednesday when the accused, identified as Kadir Ali Razzaq Ali, a resident of Talegaon, was brought to the health facility for an examination.
According to sources, the man was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he became aggressive and attacked the doctor.
Two police personnel and three home guards had accompanied the accused to the PHC when the alleged assault occurred. Sources said the man continued to hurl obscene remarks at the medical officer even after he was removed from the outpatient department (OPD).
CCTV footage purportedly capturing the incident subsequently circulated widely on social media, drawing attention to the alleged assault and prompting an outcry among healthcare professionals.
Following the incident, medical officers and other healthcare staff expressed their anger over the alleged attack. Staff members marched to Talegaon police station to register their protest and demand action in the matter.
Acting on the woman medical officer’s complaint, police registered a case against Kadir Ali on Thursday.
The incident has also revived concerns over the safety of doctors working in government healthcare facilities, particularly when conducting medical examinations of individuals brought in by law enforcement agencies.
The PHC had witnessed a similar incident approximately six months earlier, when a doctor was allegedly assaulted by a patient’s relative. The latest episode has intensified calls for stronger security measures to protect medical personnel from violence while performing their professional duties.
