Chennai: A doctor at Kalaignar government hospital was brutally stabbed by the relative of a patient leading to doctors’ strike and a call by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) in Tamil Nadu against the incident. Health Minister Ma Subramanian said the accused was arrested and an investigation is underway.
He was secured by the police immediately and an investigation is underway. Now, Times Now has accessed the video of the accused, Vignesh, that was recorded after the incident. In the video, the accused is seen trying to put the kitchen knife in his pocket and after a few seconds, he threw it from a window in the hospital while the victim doctor was being taken on a stretcher.
People followed him while a person continued to record his movements and at the exit, he was held by the guards and other staffers of the hospital. The crowd behind him shouted, “He cut him, he cut him.” A few persons were seen beating, trashing and kicking him as well.
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Office Superintendent of Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital, Muthu Ramesh told the media, “When I saw him (the accused), he said ‘Yes I am stabbing, what will you do? We will manage when the police will come, don’t disturb’. I did not see stabbing but I saw a cut on the victim…”
Tamil Nadu CM Stalin Reacts
Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin, earlier in the day, expressed grief over the incident and ordered a probe. Meanwhile, the health minister held a video call with the victim, Dr Balaji.
“Doctor Balaji is in ICU. He is stable. I spoke to him via video call sometime back. I’m going to meet him after this press meet. He is a great doctor. He has worked well in several hospitals,” he said.
“Accused’s mother was being treated for cancer in the hospital for the past 6 months. She underwent chemotherapy multiple times. The accused thought his mother was not treated properly,” the health minister added.
Condemning the attack, he said the doctors are working selflessly 24/7 and police are checking if anyone else apart from Vignesh was involved.
“A few doctors associations said they will go on an indefinite strike following this incident. We spoke to them. They expressed all their concerns and requests. The doctors associations demanded improved security at govt hospitals. They also said attenders who come with patients should be regularised. All protests withdrawn,” he added.