A violent attack on an oncologist at a government hospital in Chennai, India, has reignited concerns about the safety of medical professionals in the country.
Dr. Balaji Jaganathan was stabbed multiple times by a man reportedly dissatisfied with the treatment of his mother, who was battling advanced ovarian cancer.
The attacker, who locked the doctor in his consultation room before carrying out the attack, has been taken into police custody.
Dr. Jaganathan, who sustained injuries to his scalp, head, neck, back, and ear, underwent emergency surgery and remains in stable condition under intensive care.
The attack, which took place on Wednesday, has triggered widespread protests among medical professionals across Tamil Nadu.
Doctors’ unions in the state, including the Indian Medical Association have called for urgent action to protect healthcare workers and threatened to halt services if their demands are not met.
In a statement, the IMA, India’s largest union of medical professionals, condemned the attack and called for enhanced hospital security.
“Only a comprehensive overhaul of the security atmosphere in hospitals can restore doctors’ confidence. The nation owes this to its doctors,” the IMA said.
The incident adds to a growing list of violent acts against doctors in India. According to an IMA report, over 75% of doctors in the country have faced some form of violence, with 68% of cases involving patients’ relatives.
The attack on Dr. Jaganathan comes months after the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at her workplace sparked nationwide outrage and highlighted unsafe working conditions in healthcare facilities.
