Assault on Doctors: A Dangerous Trend

Hospitals are supposed to be places of healing, not battlefields. Yet, in India, ferocity against doctors is becoming disturbingly common. The recent incident at Acharya Bhikshu Government Hospital in Delhi, where an on-duty doctor was ostensibly assaulted by an MLA, once again highlighted the risky environment in which our healthcare workers are mandated to serve. Doctors at the hospital instantly went on strike, demanding justice and safety. This is not just about one doctor or one hospital—it is about the dignity and protection of the whole medical profession.

The Delhi Incident
On August 21, a doctor at Acharya Bhikshu Hospital asked relatives of a young patient to wait as he was already attending to other cases. Instead of understanding, the relatives turned aggressive. One man, reportedly an MLA, pushed the doctor’s chair, shouted abuses, and threatened him openly. Shockingly, the hospital’s security failed to intervene.
The doctors responded by stopping work and demanding strict legal action, installation of CCTV cameras, and a public apology from the accused. Their protest wasn’t against patients—it was against a system that allows those in power to intimidate medical staff without consequences.

A Pattern of Violence

Unfortunately, this was not an isolated case. In recent years, several hospitals in Delhi and across India have witnessed similar assaults:
>A resident doctor in Rohini was strangled with her own stethoscope after a patient’s death.
>Attendants at Lady Hardinge Hospital assaulted workforce in the emergency ward.

These cases highlight to a perilous trend—instead of respecting doctors, frustration and exasperation are being destined at them.

Why Are Doctors Being Assaulted?
1. Overburdened Hospitals – With long queues, delays in treatment are inevitable. But instead of blaming the system, people lash out at doctors.
2. Lack of Security – Most government hospitals lack trained guards and proper crowd control.
3. Political Interference – The Delhi case shows how power is misused inside hospitals.
4. Weak Legal Protection – Laws exist on paper, but attackers are rarely punished.

Impact on Healthcare
Patients Suffer – When doctors go on strike, it is the poor and helpless patients who face the brunt.
Doctors Lose Morale – Working in fear reduces efficiency and leads to burnout.
Brain Drain – Many young doctors consider leaving government service, worsening the shortage of specialists.

The Way Forward

1. Harsh Punishment for Violence – Instant FIRs and severe punishments, regardless of the attacker’s political or social backgrounds.
2. Good Hospital Safety – operational CCTV, trained guards, and quick-response teams in casualty wards.
3. Public Awareness – People must understand that doctors are not hostiles—they are supporters. Abuse and assault only harm patients in the end.
4. Support from Government – Policymakers must back doctors, not frighten them.

Conclusion
The incident at Acharya Bhikshu Hospital is more than a headline—it is an alert. If those who safeguard lives cannot feel safe in their workplace, then the very footing of healthcare is at danger. Doctors are not demanding superfluity; they are asking for basic respect and safety. It is time society and government act before this treacherous trend disturbs the trust between patients and doctors forever.