About 70 doctors protested at the Institute of Child Health (ICH) Hospital on Monday after a doctor was beaten up by relatives of a two-and-a half-year old baby who died in the hospital. They also claimed that police did not take any action.
The baby was admitted to the hospital on December 6 for low weight gain and sepsis and died because of these reasons. The doctors also suspect milk asphyxia. The baby died on the same day, said Dr Raghunathan, Resident Medical Officer (RMO) to TNIE.
After the baby’s death, Dr. Dinesh Kumar (first year PG student of Madras Medical College) was beaten up by the baby’s father Manikandan and her relatives. “He was pushed and kicked by the relatives when he was entering a ward”, Dr Kesava Raj told TNIE. Dinesh was admitted to Rajiv Gandhi hospital and discharged later.
A police complaint was only registered after the doctors protested against this act. An FIR was also filed at Egmore police station.
According to TNIE, Dr Balakrishnan, President of Tamil Nadu Government Doctors Association said that the accused must be arrested immediately and if the police fail, they will take further action. He also submitted a petition to the ICH director Dr Sundari.