IMA and Pune hospitals condemn attack on Sahayadri hospital

Dr Sanjay Patil, Chairman, Hospital Board of India, Pune Chapter said that in such situations, taking the law into one’s own hands and attacking medical institutions and healthcare workers is not an answer. “It is an act worthy of the strongest condemnation. Such misconduct creates fear among hospital staff as well as other patients, ultimately affecting patient outcomes. Due to the attack on Sahyadri Hospital other admitted patients are taking discharge against medical advice. Working in an atmosphere of intimidation becomes extremely challenging for healthcare workers,” he said.

“In the incident at Sahyadri Hospital, the false description of the life-saving CPR procedure as “breaking ribs and sitting on the chest to kill the patient” is deplorable and reflects the sheer ignorance of these antisocial elements. CPR has saved thousands of lives to date, but incidents like these may now discourage doctors or healthcare staff from administering CPR, which could gravely harm society,” IMA members said in an official press communique.

“Such incidents are being witnessed repeatedly. In most cases, police assistance arrives only after the crime has occurred. In some situations, political party workers, based on incomplete information, take the law into their own hands. All this results in the mental demoralisation of doctors and healthcare workers, which in turn can severely affect other patients. In this particular case, based on initial information, we believe there is no lapse or negligence on the part of the doctors, hospital, or staff,” IMA members said.

They also demanded that strict and immediate action should be taken against the concerned miscreants under the Maharashtra Medicare Act 2010, without yielding to any political pressure. “We also appeal to the Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis to declare hospital premises as safe zones to prevent such incidents in the future,” Dr Patil said. The Association of Hospitals in Pune has also decided to approach the Pune Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar. “Such types of attacks on hospitals and the medical fraternity have been happening in Pune repeatedly and we see no light of protection from any authorities,” the members said.

Manjusha Kulkarni, legal advisor at Ruby Hall Clinic said that the Association of Hospitals in Pune had called for an urgent meeting of members following this incident. “During this incident, the relatives and the so-called ‘social political activists’ not only damaged property of the hospital but also abused the doctors and nurses involved in the treatment of the deceased patient,” Kulkarni said in an official statement.

Kulkarni added that the Association strongly condemned the incident and have decided to approach not only the Commissioner of Police, but also Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde as the persons there were allegations that some of the vandals were invoking his name during the incident.