Doctors’ body FORDA on Thursday wrote to Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya and sought his ‘immediate intervention’ and ‘decisive action’ after a doctor was fatally stabbed in Kerala by a man while she was dressing his wound.
Wednesday’s murder of medic Vandana Das by Sandeep, a school teacher under suspension, has led to widespread outrage in the state, and triggered protests by the medical community.
This ‘brutal act of violence while on duty’ calls for immediate action to ensure justice and the safety of healthcare professionals, said Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA).
The health minister, it appealed, must take the following measures: the accused be given maximum punishment for homicide; maximum financial compensation for the victim’s family as is done in the recognition of the sacrifice of a martyr; and, the implementation of the Healthcare Protection Act.
Also, FORDA urged all Resident Doctors’ Associations (RDAs) associated with it to observe mourning and pay homage to the victim by holding black-ribbon protests, candlelight marches, and observing silence in her remembrance.
The murder
According to the police, the incident took place on Wednesday morning at a hospital in Kollam district’s Kottarakkara area. Sandeep, who was hospitalised after being involved in a fight with his family members, suddenly got provoked, and attacked everyone standing there with a scissor and scalpel.
Das succumbed to her injuries at a Thiruvananthapuram hospital a few hours after the attack. Police personnel who accompanied the man were also injured.
The Kerala government has promised a ‘thorough investigation’ into the matter.
