Hospital protocol went for a toss at the Gandhi government hospital, exclusively used for treating coronavirus patients in Hyderabad, after a resident doctor was slapped by a novel coronavirus patient.
The trigger was the death of his brother, another COVID-19 patient who was being treated for more than a week and put up on the same floor. The alleged intimidation and subsequent violent attack took place on Wednesday evening and involved three members of one family, who are all COVID-19 positive. They, along with a number of other COVID-19 suspects and patients in Gandhi hospital are either participants of Tablighi Jamaat in Delhi or are their close contacts.
The deceased had been admitted to the hospital for the last few days. According to a doctor in Gandhi hospital familiar with the patient’s condition, the 54-year-old’s health deteriorated over time posing a challenge to the doctors and was kept in ICU. “He was in critical condition. He had other health issues. We conveyed this to his relatives who were not only non-cooperative but also intimidating. He was on a ventilator and we tried our best to revive him.”
According to the doctor, at around 5 pm, two male and one female member of the family, who are admitted on the seventh floor was informed about the death. “They were in no mood to talk. They blamed the death on the hospital. Despite knowing that he had COVID-19 and have to maintain distance, a male relative slapped the resident doctor.” As per the account of the junior doctors of the hospital, the doctor who came under attack along with others scurried into an enclosure and locked themselves fearing more attacks. Meanwhile, COVID-19 suspects who are put up on the eighth floor of the hospital, who knew the family well, got to know about the death. They broke window panes and damaged the property. In the melee, security guards of the hospital were also roughed up, as per hospital sources.
“We made calls to the police and sought help. For two hours we were left to fend for ourselves. The police officials did not want to enter the Corona ward for fear of contracting infections while we feared for our life. They should have prepared themselves for this eventuality. This is not how you treat doctors at the time of a Pandemic,” said a hospital doctor who did not wish to be quoted.
According to the hospital staff, the doctor who was manhandled is in a shock and has been asked to be under quarantine for a couple of days as he came in contact with the patient.
Towards late evening, Hyderabad police commissioner and higher officials took stock of the situation. They engaged with the patients and diffused the situation. The Telangana State Junior Doctors Association demanded better protection.
Health Minister E. Rajender condemned the incident and DGP Mahender Reddy said they will beef up the security. Commissioner of Hyderabad, Anjani Kumar said that a case will be booked against those who assaulted the doctors. An Additional DCP level officer has been assigned to be in charge of the security of the hospital staff.