A doctor at Hyderabad’s Gandhi Hospital was allegedly harassed by residents of an apartment building, who hurled abuses at her and tried to obstruct her from entering on Wednesday. A case has been registered against a group of residents of Vasavi Brundavanam Apartments in Mansoorabad for their alleged insensitive treatment of the postgraduate doctor, who had gone to her brother’s apartment building to collect her luggage.
Though the incident took place on Wednesday, it only came to light on Friday. Gandhi Hospital has been designated for the treatment of COVID-19 patients.
According to police, at least 10 residents allegedly prevented the doctor from entering the apartment, fearing that she could spread the coronavirus due to her work at Gandhi Hospital. When the doctor’s brother tried to intervene, he was also allegedly abused. The doctor managed to call the Vanasthalipuram police, after which she was able to go into the apartment, which comes under the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, and collect her bag.
She later filed a complaint with the police, and a case was registered against the offenders under sections 304 (wrongful restraint), 504 (intentional insult), 506 (criminal intimidation), 509 (outraging modesty of a woman) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including the Epidemic Disease Act, 1897.
“The investigation is underway. We are yet to identify the offenders,” said Vanasthalipuram Inspector A Venkataiah.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Eatala Rajender condemned the incident on Friday, while addressing the media. The minister said that the government wouldn’t tolerate such harassment against doctors, and warned residents that they would file cases against those who indulge in such offences. “There are laws in place for such offences,” Eatala warned.
Across India, medical professionals and healthcare workers have faced harassment and ostracisation due to their work with coronavirus patients. In Warangal, medical professionals working in a hospital were allegedly evicted earlier in March. There were two incidents of violence against duty doctors who were allegedly attacked by relatives of COVID-19 patients over alleged negligence in Hyderabad. Doctors even faced police harassment after the state government announced lockdown to contain the spread of the disease.
The Union government recently brought out an ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 to make acts of violence against healthcare service personnel a punishable offence.