Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji
Panaji, Jul 9: Doctors at Manipal Hospital in Goa on Thursday wore black ribbons in solidarity with two doctors who were allegedly assaulted at the KDMC-run Shastrinagar Hospital in Dombivli, Maharashtra. The medical fraternity condemned the rising incidents of violence against healthcare professionals and demanded strict action against those responsible.
The protest was part of a broader demonstration by doctors across Goa following the alleged assault on doctors and hospital staff by Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) corporator Ramesh Mhatre and his associates.
Senior surgical oncologist Dr Shekhar Salkar said elected representatives who assault doctors while they are on duty should be disqualified from contesting elections and face stringent legal punishment.
"The message has to be very clear that nobody can take the law into their own hands. Justice in such cases must be swift. If action is delayed for years, the same cycle repeats. The Goa Medicare Act, 2013 provides good legal protection for doctors, but awareness and implementation need to improve. Prevention and proper security are equally important," he said.
Dr Salkar said doctors across Goa wore black ribbons to express solidarity with their colleagues in Maharashtra. He noted that protests in Maharashtra had been withdrawn after the state government accepted certain demands, but stressed that stronger legal safeguards and speedy justice remained essential.
He added that a memorandum had also been submitted to the Goa government seeking effective implementation of measures to protect healthcare workers.
Senior orthopaedic surgeon Dr Dipchand Bhandare alleged that those involved in attacks on doctors often escaped meaningful punishment because of political patronage.
"Such people receive political protection. They may be arrested and cases may be filed, but ultimately nothing happens to them. They continue doing what they do and even get elected again. Equally unfortunate is that people witnessing such incidents often remain silent instead of standing up for doctors," he said.
Gynaecologist Dr Sofia Rodrigues, who holds degrees in both medicine and law, said doctors remain among the most vulnerable professional groups despite dedicating their lives to patient care.
"Doctors are too busy treating people to fight for their own rights. That has made us vulnerable. It is time for doctors to assert their rights through legal processes, RTIs and other formal mechanisms. Caregivers and lifesavers should never be subjected to violence," she said.
The protest follows Monday's incident at Shastrinagar Hospital in Dombivli, where CCTV footage allegedly showed Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and several others assaulting doctors inside the hospital.
According to hospital authorities, the incident began after a woman underwent a caesarean section. The newborn required specialised neonatal care after doctors found the umbilical cord wrapped twice around the baby's neck. As the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) was full, doctors advised the family to shift the infant to another medical facility.
Doctors alleged that after they were unable to respond to repeated phone calls from Mhatre while attending to patients, the corporator arrived at the hospital with supporters and allegedly assaulted gynaecologists Dr Vaibhav Salunkhe and Dr Srushti Baviskar. Dr Salunkhe reportedly sustained injuries.
Two nurses who attempted to intervene were also allegedly pushed and manhandled. Doctors further alleged that Mhatre threatened hospital staff before leaving the hospital premises.
The incident was reported to the Vishnunagar Police, following which an FIR was registered.
Police have arrested Ramesh Mhatre, a three-time Shiv Sena corporator, along with several others in connection with the alleged assault. The accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2010.
Police had earlier arrested three of Mhatre's alleged associates for their involvement in the attack.
Following his arrest, the 72-year-old corporator was admitted to Thane Civil Hospital after reportedly complaining of chest pain and remains under medical observation.