Tamil Nadu CM speaks with doctor stabbed in Chennai hospital, opposition parties slam DMK-led government

Dr Balaji, an oncologist was "stabbed at least seven times" by accused Vigneswaran in Kalaignar Centenary hospital in Chennai, officials said.

DMK MP Dr Kanimozhi NVN Somu and MLA Dr Ezhilan Naganathan also visited the hospital to meet and enquire about the health of the doctor.

Opposition parties including AIADMK and BJP slammed the DMK-led government over the incident.

Senior police officials visited the hospital to review the security arrangements.

The accused had been coming to the hospital, accompanying his mother for her cancer treatment and she had completed six cycles of chemotherapy, according to the director of the hospital.

Indian Medical Association (IMA) and All India Medical Association (FAIMA) demanded strict action against anyone who attacks doctors and medical staff and steps to ensure their security.

"The Federation of All India Medical Associations (FAIMA) condemns in the strongest terms the recent violent attack on Dr. Balaji, an oncologist in Chennai. This tragic incident is a stark reminder of the escalating violence faced by healthcare professionals across the nation, which has reached intolerable levels," a statement said.

IMA said no "amount of superficial damage control exercises by Governments" is going to make doctors work without fear in this country.

"Strong deterrent legislation, exemplary punishments and proactive safety measures are required now and here. All Governments have been put on notice with this heinous crime," d IMA statement said.

Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan said any form of violence against doctors and medical fraternity is absolutely unacceptable.

"The attack on Dr. Balaji Jagannathan is shocking and highly condemnable. Any form of violence against doctors and medical fraternity is absolutely unacceptable. Urgent and immediate actions are imperative to ensure safety and security of Doctors and healthcare professionals, especially in hospitals. Praying for Dr. Balaji's swift recovery," said a post by Raj Bhavan.

AIADMK, BJP and TVK leaders strongly criticised the ruling DMK-led government, saying that the law and order in the state has deteriorated.

BJP national spokesperson CR Kesavan said that the government has been "irresponsible" in handling the incident.

"The Health Minister's reaction was very irresponsible... Without ascertaining the facts, he blurted out that the attackers were from North India and then later he retracted saying that the attackers are from the same state," he told ANI.

"The gruesome attack on a doctor in broad daylight shows that it is not a security lapse, it is a security collapse...It is a government hospital and the government is responsible for this," he said.

AIADMK leaders C Vijayabaskar and D Jayakumar also visited the injured doctor.

D Jayakumar said that the state is "facing the worst law and order situation."

"Every day murder and robbery are happening. Even doctors who save lives have no safety in this state. Our leader has advised us to inquire about Balaji's (the injured doctor) health and we have come here. How come an outsider comes with a knife inside a hospital? It's the government's duty to safeguard people's lives," he said during a press conference.

TVK president Vijay said that the government has not ensured security for the people.

"While our party's executive committee had condemned through a resolution that the crimes taking place in broad daylight in Tamil Nadu show the breakdown of law and order, the daily crimes prove that this regime is a regime in which there is no security for government employees, traders and the general public," said actor-turned-politician Vijay in a post on X.

"The negligence of the Tamil Nadu government is the reason why the government doctor's life is not safe in such a government super specialty hospital which provides life saving treatment. The doctor who was injured in the stabbing, Mr. Balaji, I pray for a speedy full recovery," he added.

The Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian met with the medical association members earlier today, listening to their grievances and demands.

The minister said that following assurances from the government, the doctors withdrew their protest

"Doctors have withdrawn the protest which they have announced before. We have assured about the safety of the doctors so they are withdrawing the protest," the health minister said in a press conference.

): Tamil Nadu's Public Health Department on Wednesday enumerated a series to steps to enhance security in district hospitals following the shocking incident of a doctor having been "stabbed" by son of a cancer patient in a Chennai hospital.

Instructions were issued to the district officials to ensure enhancing security and providing a safer working environment for doctors and health care workers in the Government Medical Institutions and other Health facilities.

Instructions have been issued for immediate measures and for prompt action.

The Public Health Department called for regulating access of the general public and relatives of the patients, ensuring the functioning of CCTV cameras and adequate lighting and ensuring regular patrolling by police officials at Primary Health Centres.

Hospitals have been told to develop a visitor pass policy with the notification "duly insisting the time restriction for visitors which should be displayed."

The notification said punitive measures of the 'Tamil Nadu Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Loss to Property) Act, 2008' shall we displayed on the premises of Primary Health Centres and other institutions in both Tamil and English, specifically highlighting that the offences are the Act are "non-bailable".

The Public Health Department also called for formation of a 'Hospital Security Committee' and a 'Violence Prevention Committee' at Primary Health Centres, "to strategize and implement appropriate security measures"

"The 'Hospital Security Committee' may be headed by the Block Medical Officers/Incharge Medical Officers concerned. Further, the 'Violence Prevention Committee' may be headed by the senior doctors, it said.

The instructions encouraged healthcare workers to install the 'Kaaval Uthavi' app, which can be used to trigger and send emergency alerts.

The letter also had instructions in terms of having a night watchman and certain infrastructural changes including constructing compound walls, trimming the bushes for better visibility, and keeping the grill gates inside the Primary Health centres to be kept closed for workers safety. (ANI)