Doctor Strangled by Family After Baby Dies in NICU
A second-year woman resident doctor from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Hospital, Rohini, was physically assaulted on Monday afternoon. The attack reportedly occurred inside the hospital ward following the death of a newborn baby, who had been under intensive care for several days.
Doctor Targeted by Grieving Family Members
According to the Resident Doctors’ Association (RDA), the relatives of the deceased newborn attacked the doctor in full public view. They allegedly tore her clothes and attempted to strangle her using her stethoscope. The doctor sustained visible scratches and was left traumatized by the incident. Sadly, there was no security personnel present at the time to prevent the attack. Only after a delay did fellow doctors and nursing staff intervene to rescue her.
Medical Director Responds Swiftly
Dr. Meenakshi Sridhar, the hospital’s Medical Director, stated that she arrived within five minutes of the incident. She confirmed that a medico-legal case (MLC) was promptly registered and an FIR filed with the police. The assaulted doctor was immediately given medical and emotional support. Her torn clothes were handed over to authorities in a sealed packet as part of evidence documentation.
Dr. Sridhar also personally reviewed the CCTV footage of the incident and submitted it to the police. Five individuals involved in the attack were taken to the police station for questioning by 4 PM the same day.
No Medical Negligence, Says Hospital
Clarifying the clinical background, Dr. Sridhar explained that the newborn had been critically ill since birth. The baby was delivered via Caesarean section and had a very low Apgar score of 3, indicating severe birth asphyxia and minimal chances of survival. Despite being placed on ventilator support and receiving intensive care for seven days, the baby unfortunately did not survive.
She emphasized that the healthcare team did everything possible and that there was no evidence of medical negligence in the case.
Doctors Demand Better Security
The RDA condemned the incident, calling for urgent improvements in hospital security and stronger legal action to protect medical professionals from violence. Such attacks not only compromise the safety of healthcare workers but also interrupt patient care and damage the trust between doctors and the public.
Conclusion
This tragic and unacceptable incident highlights the urgent need for better security infrastructure in hospitals and stronger safeguards for healthcare workers. While grief can be overwhelming, violence against medical staff cannot be justified under any circumstance. Ensuring safe and respectful working environments for doctors is essential for the functioning of any healthcare system.
Source: Inputs from various media Sources
Priya Bairagi
Reviewed by Dr Aarti Nehra (MBBS, MMST)
I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.
