Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)
Mangaluru, May 20: IMA Mangaluru and all the allied medical and paramedical fraternity will hold a protest on Monday May 22 to condemn the assault and abduction of a senior surgeon and a senior lady nursing staff by a mob at Yenepoya Medical and Dental College, Deralakatte recently, informed president of Indian Medical Association (IMA), Mangaluru Dr K R Kamath.
Dr Abhijith Shetty, assistant professor at Yenepoya Medical College and Hospital, was allegedly dragged by a mob of nearly 40 people, assaulted and kidnapped in the early hours of May 16, following the death of a 65-year-old patient from Kinya who had been admitted to the hospital. The doctor was rescued by his colleagues with the help of the police near the Ullal bridge, and three persons were arrested.
Follwing the incident, the medical fraternity in the city and surrounding places led by the IMA has called for a bandh on May 22.
Addressing a press meet here Saturday May 20, Dr Kamath said, "The protest march will be carried out from Jyothi circle to the DC's office and a memorandum will be submitted to the DC. It will also involve closure of all elective services in all hospitals in the district. Emergency services including casualty, emergency OT (operation theatre) and casualty/ICU will continue uninterrupted."
Condemning the assault and abduction of the doctor, he said, "It is unfortunate that on May 16 a senior doctor was assaulted and dragged, pushed into a vehicle and abducted, and even a senior nursing staff was also abused. The doctor was threatened that he would be thrown into the Netravati river. He later realised that he had been robbed of his gold chain and wrist watch. While assaults on doctors have happened in the past, the problem has only increased in gravity, despite assurance by the authorities and higher-ups. It has tarnished the name of the city and the entire region, which is otherwise a very popular destination for both medical education and healthcare."
Dr Anantha Rao Prasad said, "This is the first time I have come across such an incident in my professional career. Mangaluru is known to be one of the safest place in the country but these types of anti-social elements are creating difficulties to our profession. We will not be able to do our work fearlessly. We need to educate people that we are not god and we cannot ensure success in our treatment each and every time. The health condition of a patient could keep on changing, but that does not mean the doctors have not treated them with all care."
Dr Diwakar Rao, Dr G K Bhat, Dr Guruprasad and others were present.
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