The safety of healthcare professionals is once again under scrutiny following a disturbing attack on a junior doctor at the Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS) in Tirupati. This incident, which occurred in the Emergency Medicine Department, has heightened concerns about workplace safety for doctors nationwide.
The attack, captured on CCTV, shows a patient, identified as Bangaru Raju, violently assaulting the junior doctor. The footage reveals Raju grabbing the doctor by her hair and forcefully banging her head against the steel frame of a hospital bed. The assault was swiftly stopped by other doctors in the ward, who intervened and restrained the attacker.
Watch Here:
In a letter addressed to Dr. RV Kumar, the director and vice-chancellor of SVIMS, the junior doctor recounted the incident, noting the absence of security personnel at the time. “I was unexpectedly attacked by a patient who approached me from behind, pulled my hair, and began forcibly banging my head against the steel rod of a cot,” she wrote. The doctor expressed serious concerns about the potential severity of the situation, especially if the patient had been armed.
Following the attack, doctors at SVIMS staged a protest demanding improved safety measures. The incident has brought renewed attention to the safety of medical staff, coming just weeks after a tragic rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. This high-profile case has led to widespread protests and calls for enhanced security measures for healthcare workers.
In response to these growing concerns, the Supreme Court has established a 10-member National Task Force to recommend steps to prevent violence against healthcare workers and ensure safe working conditions. The task force is tasked with developing an action plan to prevent gender-based violence and promote a dignified working environment for doctors.
The attack at SVIMS highlights the urgent need for effective safety measures in hospitals to protect doctors from violence and ensure their well-being while on duty.