Thu Nov 14 21:02:43 UTC 2024: ## Doctors Across Tamil Nadu Protest After Attack on Oncologist
**CHENNAI, November 15, 2024:** Doctors across Tamil Nadu staged demonstrations on Wednesday and Thursday, condemning the assault on a senior medical oncologist at Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH) in Chennai. They demanded increased safety measures for doctors and hospital premises.
The protest saw a 24-hour strike by the Indian Medical Association-Tamil Nadu State Branch, shutting down outpatient services and elective surgeries in numerous government and private hospitals.
The Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association (TNGDA) initially declared an indefinite strike but later called it off after talks with the Health Minister. The Minister promised to review security measures implemented after a month.
Demonstrations took place at various hospitals, including Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) in Chennai and Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital in Salem.
Doctors from the Federation of Government Doctors Association (FOGDA) demanded armed police presence at hospitals, declaring them safe zones with two-tier security. They also requested stringent action against attackers and increased police personnel at all hospitals.
The strike disrupted outpatient services in over 400 hospitals across the state, with patients arriving at hospitals only to be turned away. Doctors demanded maximum punishment for the accused in the assault case.
Doctors across Vellore, Ranipet, Tirupattur, Tiruvannamalai, Tiruchi, Madurai, Thoothukudi, and Coimbatore also participated in the protests, demanding increased security and strict action under the Hospital Protection Act and BNS criminal provisions for those who attack doctors.
The protests highlight the growing concern among medical professionals about their safety and security in hospitals. They emphasized the urgent need for robust security measures to ensure a safe environment for both patients and healthcare workers.
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