Thamarassery incident: Kerala govt doctors to observe state-wide protest today, only emergency services in Kozhikode

Government doctors will observe a statewide protest on Thursday following the attack on a doctor at the Thamarassery Government Taluk Hospital. As part of the protest, only patient care services will be available in all government hospitals. In Kozhikode district, only the emergency services will remain operational, with all other departments, including Outpatient (OP) facilities, completely suspended. 

The protest has been called by the Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) — the union representing government doctors. Condemning the brutal assault, KGMOA, in a statement, said that protest gatherings will be held in all government medical institutions across the state.

The association also criticised the government for failing to ensure the safety of doctors, even after the tragic death of Dr Vandana Das, who was killed on May 10, 2023, after being attacked by a drug addict while on duty at Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital in Kollam. KGMOA has urged the government to immediately implement the safety measures promised in the aftermath of her death.

The association has demanded that the government immediately declare hospitals as special security zones. It also urged to set up police outposts in major hospitals as promised.

The association further stressed the need to implement an effective triage system and to ensure the service of at least two doctors per shift in emergency departments.

To ensure hospital safety, KGMOA called for the deployment of the Specialised Security Force (SISF) in major hospitals, in line with the assurances made by the government in an affidavit submitted to the High Court. The association also demanded the appointment of ex-servicemen as security personnel in hospitals, and urged strict action against local self-government bodies that fail to comply with this government directive.

KGMOA warned that if the government fails to address their demands immediately, the protest will escalate into a widespread agitation, including the suspension of patient care services.

Expressing solidarity with KGMOA, the Kerala Government Medical College Teachers’ Association (KGMCTA) said it would completely support all further actions taken by KGMOA in response to the assault.

The injured doctor, Dr Vipin PT (34), was on duty in the casualty department of the Thamarassery Taluk Hospital when he was allegedly attacked with a machete on Wednesday. He sustained injuries in his scalp and is undergoing treatment at Baby Memorial Hospital. The accused has been identified as Sunup, the father of a nine-year-old girl who recently died of amoebic meningoencephalitis. As per reports, he attacked the doctor, accusing him of being responsible for his child's death. 

Condemning the attack, KGMCTA described the incident as a serious breach of workplace security and called it deeply regrettable. The association also pointed out that the shortage of doctors in proportion to patient numbers in government hospitals has contributed to many such unfortunate incidents.

Criticising the government’s response, KGMCTA said that authorities have failed to ensure the safety of healthcare workers, despite the existence of strong laws. It also urged the government to increase entry-level salaries to retain skilled young professionals in public service.

The association warned that if the government fails to address the issues related to hospital safety, the public healthcare system is at risk of eventual collapse.