‘Attack on healthcare’: FAIMA condemns AMU doctor assault at JNMC, demands immediate FIR, arrest

The Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) has condemned the physical assault on a resident doctor at the emergency and trauma centre of Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College (JNMC). The doctor's association has written to the vice chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), demanding an “urgent administrative intervention”, and “immediate arrest” of the accused.

The urgent call for action from FAIMA comes after a female patient, on April 23, hurled verbal abuses and physically assaulted a junior resident doctor on duty at the JNMCH’s emergency and trauma centre, according to a statement by FAIMA.

Terming the event as a “grave criminal offence”, FAIMA said: “This incident reflects a serious and ongoing failure of institutional security mechanisms, despite repeated prior incidents and assurances by the administration and local authorities. Equally concerning are reports of misconduct by police personnel within hospital premises, which further undermine the safety and morale of healthcare workers.”

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FAIMA's 'non-negotiable' demands to AMU

Moreover, the letter, written to AMU's VC by the doctor’s association, lists a series of “non-negotiable” demands to ensure the safety of healthcare workers.

FAIMA has demanded an immediate FIR and arrest of the accused under non-bailable sections. It has also urged the university to install a gate-pass system and biometric access for doctor duty rooms and limit the attendants to two per patient.

“Time-bound recruitment of non-academic Junior Residents, ensuring adequate workforce support in emergency and clinical departments. Fixation of administrative accountability, with clear responsibility assigned to prevent recurrence. Any further lapse must invite strict action, including resignation of responsible authorities,” FAIMA stated.

In addition, the RDA JNMCH has initially ensured that essential services will continue during the strike, FAIMA warned that a lack of decisive action could lead to an escalation.

"Violence against doctors is a direct attack on the healthcare system," the association stated, adding that they are prepared to coordinate a nationwide escalation if the University and Aligarh district authorities fail to restore a secure working environment.

The administration has yet to release an official statement regarding the timeline for the requested security upgrades or the status of the legal proceedings against the assailant.