hidden image

A Harsh Treatment

Aarti Aarti
15 May 2023

The gruesome manner in which 23-year-old house surgeon Vandana Das was fatally attacked by her 42-year-old patient, Sandeep, a suspended school teacher, while performing her duty in a Kerala hospital on May 10 is shocking. According to news reports, police brought Sandeep, who was involved in a scuffle with his family members, to the Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital in Kollam District for treatment at about 5 am. He was reportedly in an inebriated state and wasn’t handcuffed. 

Sandeep, while being treated for his leg injury, became violent and initially he kicked his relative who was standing near the door, then grabbed a pair of scissors, stabbed the policemen and another person who tried to intervene. Vandana was stabbed by Sandeep multiple times. Although she was rushed to a Thiruvananthapuram hospital but having suffered multiple internal injuries on her back and abdomen, it proved fatal. The investigation into the case has been transferred from the Kottarakkara police to the Crime Branch as serious lapses were found on the part of the police. 

The day Dr Vandana was murdered a similar incident was reported in Kerala. The police brought Praveen (36), a construction worker, who was injured following a quarrel with his co-worker, to Nedumkandam Taluk Hospital in Kerala’s Idukki district. The in-charge of casualty tried to examine Praveen who had sustained severe head injuries; reluctant to undergo treatment, he turned violent and attempted to assault the doctor besides hurling abuses at other paramedical staff. He tried to rush out of the hospital but was soon overpowered and provided treatment with his hands and feet tied.

More recently, a final-year resident doctor from the nephrology department at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences in Hyderabad was beaten up in the early hours of May 11 by 10-12 persons after a 62-year-old woman died of medical complications. The mob barged into the ICU and tried to attack the female senior resident who was present there; when her senior intervened, and tried to explain the position and calm them down, one of them hit the senior on the shoulder, held his neck and tried to throttle him.

It is rather disconcerting that incidences of physical assault and verbal abuse on hospital premises are on the rise. A 2018 Lancet report, quoting the Indian Medical Association, states that nearly 75 percent doctors in India have faced either verbal or physical violence during their lifetime with junior doctors more exposed to violence as they are the first responders. Notably, most cases of violence are due to patients’ death, inflated bills and sometimes behaviour of the doctors. Over 40 percent of resident doctors in tertiary care hospitals in New Delhi reportedly faced violence at work. Over 80 percent of doctors are stressed out in their profession and nearly 56 percent don't sleep comfortably for 7 hours a day.

In 2022, Kerala reported 137 attacks on doctors. However, there is a ray of hope. The Kerala High Court which has taken suo moto cognizance of the matter pertaining to the untimely demise of Dr Vandana Das has issued a slew of directions in its interim orders of 10 and 11 May. Importantly, the State Police Chief has been directed to evolve protocols in order to protect doctors, healthcare professionals, students, interns, house surgeons and such others.  Similarly, sufficient and effective protocols have to be evolved with regard to persons in custody – be that accused or otherwise – as to how they are to be presented in hospitals and before medical professionals as part of the criminal justice system.

On December 1, 2022, a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court had ordered that every Station House Officer shall register complaints (FIR) of atrocity or attack or harm on any Healthcare Professional – be that Doctors, Nurses, staffs, security or such other, or against the property of a Hospital -- within an hour from the time on which such information is obtained or gathered. It further observed that swift action thereafter needs to be initiated to apprehend the offenders, as and when it requires so, leading to prosecution and such other actions as the law warrants.

Following Dr Vandana Das murder, among others, the State Government is to make necessary amendments to ensure the strict implementation of the Kerala Health Care Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2012 to ensure health workers' safety. It will also clear an Ordinance in the next Cabinet meeting. Police check posts are to be set up in all major hospitals.

Hopefully with the proposed government initiatives, abuse and physical risk at the workplace especially in healthcare institutions would be curbed. This can go a long way in creating a calm work environment. Apart from robust safety protocols which merit strict enforcement, at the health institution level, support staff need to be adequately trained and re-trained so that they are not only able to recognise warning signs but accordingly de-escalate unsavoury situations. In handling unforeseen challenges, apart from effective communications systems, fool-proof security, closed circuit TV, alarms etc. are to be set up to handle unforeseen challenges thereof.

The crux of the matter is that a fear-inducing workplace has long-lasting negative effects. According to research, fear at the work place does more harm than good. Because fear creates an environment where people are less productive causing individuals and the organization as a whole to suffer, ensuring safe and stress-free work place environs is imperative. Enforcement of laws with zero tolerance is important. The certainty of the punishment is more of a deterrent than the severity of punishment.

Recent Posts

Amidst whispers of combating the rampant spread of misinformation, the Government orchestrated an amendment to the IT Act
apicture Aakash
25 Mar 2024
I was pleasantly surprised to receive your letter dated March 15 in both Hindi and English. You mentioned in your letter how you have received trust and support from 140 crore people
apicture A. J. Philip
25 Mar 2024
On January 12, 2024, a couple came to the USM to invite the community to their daughter's wedding. While sitting and talking, the conversation turned to Fr. Varghese Alengaden
apicture Jacob Peenikaparambil
25 Mar 2024
The Church's response to the Indian general election in a pluralistic world should be multifaceted
apicture Dr. John Singarayar
25 Mar 2024
We have seen different ruling styles. China recently concluded its weeklong annual parliamentary meeting in Beijing in an exultant tone.
apicture Thomas Menamparampil
25 Mar 2024
Half a decade ago, a Bollywood movie took the entire industry by storm. The Manoj Kumar starrer "Roti, Kapda aur Makaan"
apicture Jaswant Kaur
25 Mar 2024
Every time, movie lovers can't wait for the release of the latest James Bond production. James Bond movies focus on the titular character, a fictional British Secret
apicture Peter Fernandes, SFX
25 Mar 2024
The supreme iconoclast, Howard Zinn, observed that there is no such thing as impartial history. Even the most conscientious historians are partial in two ways
apicture Mathew John & Annie Mathew
25 Mar 2024
Securing 87 per cent votes in the 2024 presidential election with a voter turnout of 77.5 per cent, the 71-year-old Vladimir Putin will become the President of Russia for a fifth term
apicture Sacaria Joseph
25 Mar 2024
I raise this question mainly in the backdrop of the recent installations of bishops and an Archbishop in some of the north Indian dioceses
apicture M L Satyan
25 Mar 2024