Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Oct 11: A senior lady doctor who is working as In-charge Block Medical Officer (BMO) in district Budgam was assaulted and abused by the attendant of a patient who had visited the Primary Health Centre (PHC), Soibugh.
As per details, the patient after reaching the Health Centre was asked to wear a face-mask by the attending doctor, in response to which the female patient created ruckus in the hospital.
While this was happening, the In-charge Block Medical Officer (BMO) Dr Fehmida Saleem tried to chip and resolve the issue. However, out of nowhere, she was assaulted by the brother of the patient who slapped her and hurled choicest abuses on her.
The incident occurred on Friday. However, there was no action taken till Saturday. The action came after the doctors’ body raised the issue and met with the Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, SSP, Budgam and CMO Budgam and demanded stern action against the person who allegedly assaulted the doctor.
“The doctor who was abused is herself a patient and she continues to be in a state of shock,” a doctor privy to the development told Excelsior.
The police have registered a case in this regard and the person involved in the assault has been arrested. “We have been told that the man who has assaulted the doctor has been arrested,” a doctor said.
Meanwhile, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) President, Dr Naik has demanded exemplary punishment for the culprits who thrashed and abused doctors at Primary Health Centre (PHC), Soibugh.
“This is unacceptable that a man comes in and slaps a senior lady doctor in front of the public and even abuses her; he should be brought to book,” he said.
He added that the DAK has approached the higher-ups in the district and has asked them to intervene into the matter and see to it that culprits are booked under relevant sections of the law and punished accordingly so to set an example for others.
Notably, the doctors in Kashmir, keeping in view repeated assaults on them by the attendants of the patients, has been demanding an ordinance for the violence against doctors should be made as a non-bailable offence as it exists in many other states of the country.
Earlier, when the COVID-19 pandemic was on its peak in Kashmir, there were several instances where the doctors were assaulted. However, a majority of the offenders faced no action.
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