The attacker has been identified as 25-year-old Vignesh, whose mother Kanchana, was receiving cancer treatment at the hospital for the past four months.
Published Nov 13, 2024 | 4:30 PM ⚊ Updated Nov 13, 2024 | 4:30 PM
Chennai doctor attacked. (Supplied)
Dr Balaji, an oncologist working at the Kalaignar Centenary Government Multi-Specialty Hospital in Chennai’s Guindy was attacked with a concealed knife by a patient’s son on the morning of Wednesday, 13 November.
The doctor sustained injuries and is currently being treated at the intensive care unit of the hospital. As the attack happened in a crowded place, the bystanders and other hospital staff apprehended the attacker immediately.
The attacker has been identified as 25-year-old Vignesh, whose mother Kanchana, was receiving cancer treatment at the hospital for the past four months. Guindy police arrived at the spot and arrested Vignesh and another individual accompanying him.
Initial investigation revealed Vignesh was dissatisfied with the treatment, and claimed it led to inadequate care for his mother. Police reported that Vignesh brought a knife from home and used it on Dr Balaji following a verbal altercation over the matter.
However, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian, who inspected the hospital stated that Kanchana was discharged due to her advanced condition. He further confirmed that Vignesh attacked Dr Balaji in anger over perceived negligence.
Subramanian condemned the assault, emphasizing that Vignesh was immediately detained, and assured that legal proceedings would follow.
In response to the attack, the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors’ Association has announced an indefinite strike, halting all non-emergency services until sufficient security measures are implemented for doctors working in government hospitals.
Doctors at the Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, excluding those from the emergency and maternity wards, participated in a walkout, halting services in outpatient and inpatient departments.
Led by Salem District Coordinator Dr Senthil Kumar from the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association, more than 50 doctors gathered within the hospital premises, chanting slogans condemning the attack on Dr Balaji. They demanded that all individuals involved in the incident be arrested and face strict legal action.
The protestors also urged the Tamil Nadu government to take preventive measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Similarly, in Coimbatore, doctors supported the protest by boycotting services in all departments except for emergency care. They also announced a boycott of medical classes in solidarity with the demonstration.
Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin also visited the hospital to review security measures. He emphasized the government’s responsibility to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals and ordered a comprehensive investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future.
சென்னை கிண்டியில் உள்ள கலைஞர் நூற்றாண்டு உயர் சிறப்பு மருத்துவமனையில் பணியில் இருந்த புற்றுநோய் பிரிவு மருத்துவர் திரு.பாலாஜி அவர்கள் மீது, அங்கு சிகிச்சையிலுள்ள ஒருவரின் குடும்பத்தைச் சேர்ந்த நபர் கொடூர முறையில் தாக்குதல் நடத்திய சம்பவத்தை வன்மையாகக் கண்டிக்கிறேன். அரசு… pic.twitter.com/vKvAnmmNf5
— Udhay (@Udhaystalin) November 13, 2024
In light of these events, the Tamil Nadu government has pledged to implement additional security measures to protect doctors and healthcare workers in government hospitals across the state, aiming to prevent future occurrences and safeguard public healthcare professionals.
Terming the incident shocking, MK Stalin promised to conduct a detailed inquiry into the incident.
கிண்டி கலைஞர் நூற்றாண்டு உயர்சிறப்பு மருத்துவமனையில் பணிபுரியும் மருத்துவர் திரு. பாலாஜி அவர்களை நோயாளியின் குடும்ப உறுப்பினர் ஒருவர் கத்தியால் குத்திய சம்பவம் அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.
இக்கொடுஞ்செயலில் ஈடுபட்ட நபர் உடனடியாகக் கைது செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளார். மருத்துவர் திரு. பாலாஜி…
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) November 13, 2024
Leader of Opposition, AIADMK MLA Edappadi K Palaniswami condemned the attack, recalling an earlier incident at the Trichy ESI Hospital involving Dr Muthu Karthikeyan.
Palaniswami criticized the current DMK government for an apparent decline in law and order, urging Chief Minister MK Stalin to prioritize administrative improvements over political manoeuvring.
He demanded strict legal action against those responsible for the attack on Dr Balaji and called on the government to ensure better safety for medical personnel.
சென்னை கிண்டிஅரசு மருத்துவமனையில்,
புற்றுநோய் மருத்துவர் திரு. பாலாஜியை மர்மநபர்கள் பட்டப்பகலில் கத்தியால் குத்தியுள்ள சம்பவம் அதிர்ச்சியளிக்கிறது.ஏற்கனவே கடந்த நவம்பர் 5ஆம் தேதி திருச்சி இ.எஸ்.ஐ. மருத்துவமனையில் அரசு மருத்துவர் முத்து கார்த்திகேயனை 6 பேர் கொண்ட கும்பல்… pic.twitter.com/cYtOx8ByYX
— Edappadi K Palaniswami – Say No To Drugs & DMK (@EPSTamilNadu) November 13, 2024
However, Sumanth Raman, a political analyst took to X, to question Udhayanidhi Stalin’s statements. He claimed that “A government has limited capacity to prevent such incidents. It’s impractical to station guards for every doctor, and even armed guards at hospitals cannot entirely prevent incidents within a doctor’s room.”
“In this case, the attacker didn’t even try to flee. Implementing metal detectors and body searches at government hospitals would be infeasible and would only add further inconvenience for patients,” commented Sumanth Raman.
To be fair, there is little any Govt can do to prevent such incidents. It is not feasible to provide guards for each Doctor. Even if the hospital itself had armed guards such incidents inside the doctors room cannot be prevented. In this case the culprit did not even attempt to… https://t.co/0JXBGY1GAc
— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) November 13, 2024
(Edited by Sumavarsha Kandula)
