This is the district’s second attack on a doctor in less than a week.
In the district’s second attack on doctors in a week, two men inebriatedly assaulted a doctor and a security guard at the Fort Taluk Hospital on Friday.
The Fort Police have taken the two men, habitual offenders who have been accused in various cases in the past, into custody. The accused have been identified as Rafeeq, 34, from Vallakadavu and Rashid, 41, from Karimadom.
Meanwhile, doctors affiliated with the Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) are boycotting outpatient duties at the hospital in order to protest the repeated attacks on doctors. According to Fort Circle Inspector Rakesh, the pair arrived at the hospital at 12.30 a.m. on Friday and demanded to be treated.
Since around ten others were waiting for treatment, and with the injuries of the duo being visibly minor, Malu Murali, the doctor on duty, reportedly asked them to wait for their turn. However, the duo refused to wait and allegedly assaulted her and showered expletives. According to the police, they twisted her arm during the assault. A security staff member who came running to her rescue also came under attack. Both of them sustained injuries in the attack.
Minister V. Sivankutty said no attack against health personnel would be tolerated. He said stringent action would be taken. Two days ago, a doctor who was on duty at the Parassala Taluk Hospital was attacked by a gang of four people in an inebriated condition after they were asked to follow COVID-19 protocols, leading to similar protests from doctors. Doctors have been pointing at the relative lack of security while on night duty. Demands for a police aid post have come from the staff at the Parassala and Fort hospitals.