Doctors at Srinagar's SMHS hospital flee to save their lives after fresh assault

Two doctors and a security guard received grievous injuries after they were allegedly beaten by the attendants at SMHS hospital and its adjoining Super Speciality Hospital in Srinagar. The attendants have been complaining of poor facilities and lack of medical care in the hospital.

Srinagar: Hours after the doctors and other paramedical staff called off their strike, resident doctors on Saturday fled to save their lives after two of their colleagues were allegedly beaten by the attendants at SMHS hospital and its adjoining Super Speciality Hospital.

The attendants have been complaining of poor facilities and lack of medical care in the hospital.

Reportedly, a doctor at the cardiology ward of the hospital suffered injuries in his shoulder and was shifted to Bone and Joint Hospital Barzulla for treatment.

One security guard deployed outside the ward also suffered grievous injuries in his spinal cord after he tried to intervene.

Also, after a resident doctor who later reached the spot was also beaten to pulp following which he was admitted in the emergency ward.

Soon after the incident, doctors fled from the hospital and assembled outside.

Earlier on Friday, the doctors and other paramedical staff have begun their strike at Srinagar’s SMHS hospital after some attendants assaulted one of the female doctors and vandalised the hospital property for remaining absent from duties.

The doctors said that they will resume their work only after proper security is provided to them.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Suhail Naik, President of Doctors' Association of Kashmir termed the incident as unfortunate.

"At a time when the world is battling with COVID-19, such incidents at such times bring discouragement for the doctors.

People need to cooperate with the paramedics and encourage them as they are the ones who are risking their lives for us in these hard times," he said.

Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Pandurang Kondbarao Pole said that he has directed police and hospital authorities not to allow such incidents in future.

"So far, three people have been arrested. Others involved should be arrested and legal action should be taken against them," he said.