Panaji: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Goa Branch on Wednesday condemned the brutal stabbing assault on Dr. Balaji Jagannath, a medical oncologist, at a government-run hospital in Chennai.
IMA Goa President Dr. Sandesh Chodankar, in a media statement released here, strongly condemned the brutal attack on Dr. Balaji, a medical oncologist and government doctor on duty in Chennai. The doctor was attacked by the son of a patient, who was reportedly unhappy with the treatment provided to his mother.
“This attack on medical professionals has become a regular and recurring phenomenon in the healthcare sector across India. It clearly exposes the failure on the part of the government to address safety and security issues that threaten the very existence of this noble profession,” Dr. Chodankar said.
Dr. Chodankar further noted that this incident occurred despite community awareness, token strikes, rallies, candle marches, and sensitization programs conducted after the West Bengal R.G. Kar Hospital incident.
Referring to the Chennai attack, Dr. Chodankar called it an act of “national shame” by patients and their attendants, which appears to be unstoppable at this point. He emphasized that the failure of the system to hold the offenders accountable for such disgraceful acts has become evident.
“This never-ending story must end one day,” he added.
Dr. Chodankar reiterated that the IMA has been demanding a strong, stringent central law to protect doctors from violence at the pan-India level. He called for the fast-tracking of such cases, with extraordinary and exemplary punishment for the culprits.
He also stated that the government should take note of this sensitive issue and enact deterrent legislation to ensure that doctors in India can practice with commitment and without fear.
