FORDA condemns assault on Rajkot resident doctor; flags security lapses in Gujarat medical college

The Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA) expressed solidarity with the resident doctors of Pandit Dindayal Upadhyay (PDU) Government Medical College and Hospital, Rajkot, Gujarat, protesting against the recent physical assault on a doctor in the neurosurgery ward by a patient’s relative.

A similar incident was reported at Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla, between a resident doctor and a patient, which resulted in the suspension of the doctor.

“It is extremely concerning that this incident occurred in the presence of security personnel who failed to intervene, reflecting a serious lapse in basic safety measures for healthcare workers,” FORDA said regarding the Rajkot incident.

Condemning the violence against doctors, FORDA said resident doctors spend most of their time in wards and emergency areas and face the highest risk of aggression. “If such security failures are not addressed urgently, the hospital environment becomes unsafe for doctors, nurses, and patients alike, forcing resident doctors to consider withdrawal of non-emergency services,” it wrote.

The association urged the medical superintendent of PDU Government Hospital Gujarat to promptly register appropriate offences and arrest the culprits, conduct an inquiry into the failure of on-duty security staff, and immediately strengthen security to crowd-control in high-risk areas with clear zero tolerance instructions against any abuse of healthcare personnel.

A bill recently proposed by a private member in the Rajya Sabha, suggests reporting such incidents to the National Medical Commission (NMC) within 48 hours, and imprisonment of six months to five years and fines ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5 lakh for violence against healthcare workers.