Decision makers:
Chief Minister MK Stalin
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin
Director of Kalaignar Centenary Multispeciality Government Hospital
Demands:
Immediately implement strict security protocols in all government hospitals, including mandatory security screenings at entrances.
Trained security personnel must be provided in high-risk departments especially like oncology, emergency rooms, and OPDs to ensure safety of everyone around
Regular mental health support and stress management programs for both doctors and patients’ families to improve hospital safety
A central law on violence against doctors and hospitals, declaring hospitals as safe zones, as reiterated by the IMA
On the morning of November 13, 2024, an oncologist, Dr Bajali Jagannathan, was stabbed several times by the son of a patient he had treated six months earlier, at a government hospital in Chennai.
Vignesh, the son of the patient who stabbed the doctor, suspected the doctor of prescribing incorrect medication to his mother. Even though he tried to escape from the scene, he was arrested by the police and remanded to 15 days of judicial custody.
Dr. Balaji Jagannathan, who is a well known oncologist at Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH) in Guindy, Chennai, suffered severe injuries on multiple places including his chest. Dr Jagannathan is reportedly a heart patient as well and suffered extreme blood loss after the incident. He was admitted to the ICU, where he remains critical, yet stable.
This is not the first time an incident of violence against doctors and healthcare providers has come to light. In August 2024, a 31-year old trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata was raped and murdered while she was on duty.
After the incident, healthcare professionals across the country have been demanding a central law on violence against doctors and hospitals, declaring hospitals as safe zones. In 2019, a bill was drafted on this, but never pushed forth. Now, the Indian Medical Association is reiterating this demand. In a letter, the IMA called for ‘strong deterrent legislations, proactive safety measures’.
On the Chennai incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered an inquiry and assured that the government would take measures to ensure safety of healthcare professionals.
We are echoing the demands of the IMA and urging the Tamil Nadu government to take proactive measures to ensure healthcare professionals across the state are treated with safety and dignity.
Sources:
Decision makers:
Chief Minister MK Stalin
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin
Director of Kalaignar Centenary Multispeciality Government Hospital
Demands:
Immediately implement strict security protocols in all government hospitals, including mandatory security screenings at entrances.
Trained security personnel must be provided in high-risk departments especially like oncology, emergency rooms, and OPDs to ensure safety of everyone around
Regular mental health support and stress management programs for both doctors and patients’ families to improve hospital safety
A central law on violence against doctors and hospitals, declaring hospitals as safe zones, as reiterated by the IMA
On the morning of November 13, 2024, an oncologist, Dr Bajali Jagannathan, was stabbed several times by the son of a patient he had treated six months earlier, at a government hospital in Chennai.
Vignesh, the son of the patient who stabbed the doctor, suspected the doctor of prescribing incorrect medication to his mother. Even though he tried to escape from the scene, he was arrested by the police and remanded to 15 days of judicial custody.
Dr. Balaji Jagannathan, who is a well known oncologist at Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH) in Guindy, Chennai, suffered severe injuries on multiple places including his chest. Dr Jagannathan is reportedly a heart patient as well and suffered extreme blood loss after the incident. He was admitted to the ICU, where he remains critical, yet stable.
This is not the first time an incident of violence against doctors and healthcare providers has come to light. In August 2024, a 31-year old trainee doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata was raped and murdered while she was on duty.
After the incident, healthcare professionals across the country have been demanding a central law on violence against doctors and hospitals, declaring hospitals as safe zones. In 2019, a bill was drafted on this, but never pushed forth. Now, the Indian Medical Association is reiterating this demand. In a letter, the IMA called for ‘strong deterrent legislations, proactive safety measures’.
On the Chennai incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered an inquiry and assured that the government would take measures to ensure safety of healthcare professionals.
We are echoing the demands of the IMA and urging the Tamil Nadu government to take proactive measures to ensure healthcare professionals across the state are treated with safety and dignity.
Sources: