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Lessons from attack on two doctors in hospitals on consecutive days in Chennai

India is yet to recover from the severe shock that it received when a young lady doctor was brutally raped and murdered by a drunkard at midnight in a hospital in Kolkata when she was on duty.

Even as the police enquiry took place, and doctors all over India protested about this unfortunate incident, the news about the attacks on two doctors in two separate hospitals on consecutive days in Chennai made everyone wonder as to whether there was any fundamental cause for such incidents.

While the motive for the attack on the young lady doctor in Kolkata and two doctors in Chennai are different, there is a fundamental common factor that cannot be ignored.There appears to be lack of fear of law in the mindset of criminals and attackers, who have aggressive instincts. Obviously, the government is largely responsible for this situation and perhaps, the scenario can be justifiably termed a crisis of law and order. This also means that there is a violent streak in some people, that is sweeping the society, and which remains largely unchecked. This may be since some of those in public life do not exhibit lofty standards in their behaviour and utterances and do not contribute to healthy tone in societal thinking. Of course, the media also is partly responsible for such conditions which often focus on negative happenings rather than positive developments in society.

While the above are general conditions, the particular question arises as to why have doctors been attacked in hospitals, which do not seem to be anymore a rare occurrence. While the attacker in Chennai was clearly in the wrong and should be severely punished, the doctors community should also retrospect a little. The fact is that the patients and those particularly suffering from severe and terminal illness always feel stressed and sometimes could be agitated also with the mistaken view that the treatment extended is inadequate. While most of the doctors are over-worked and are also stressed, the fact is that the type of stress suffered by the patients is much more severe than the stress felt by the doctors.

Guidelines for doctors issued by the Medical Council have recognised this fact and have counselled the doctors to be tolerant with the patients and answer their questions to calm them down and extend a friendly and sympathetic attitude. But it is known that not all the doctors exhibit such behaviour and sometimes, show impatience while dealing with the patients.

A patient narrated a recent incident at a super specialty hospital – he was suffering from a hemorrhage, and the doctor had wanted to administer a pethidine injection; not desiring this course of action, the patient had expressed concern about the possible side effects of pethidine. The doctor got irritated and told the patient, “I am not a blue-collar fool,” and walked away. This is precisely the type of behaviour that no doctor should adopt.

As for the second attack at a Chennai hospital, the patient involved was said to be mentally ill and he had attacked the doctor while the latter was attending to him. Obviously, the mental patient was with the doctor without any escort. While the question arises as to how severe the mental imbalance was, and why an escort did not accompany the patient, the doctor should have taken care while dealing with such a stressed mental patient.

The doctors in Chennai have gone on a day strike protesting the attacks. They demand that greater security measures be introduced in hospitals and that the government ensure their safety. These demands are appropriate.

At the same time, doctors must keep in mind that while their profession is admittedly stressful, and that they have to deal with the stressed patients all day long, they nevertheless must maintain an appropriate mindset whilst dealing with issues. Just as a policeman cannot complain that he has to deal with criminals, doctors too cannot complain about the behaviour of stressed patients, and must handle them with an appropriate understanding of not only their physical state but also their mental state.

N.S. Venkataraman
Trustee, Nandini Voice For The Deprived
M 60/1, 4th Cross Street
Besant Nagar, Chennai 600 090

Krishnapuri Park completes 50 years

Dear Krishnapuri Park walkers, joggers, runners, yoga learners and practitioners, young and elderly – do you know that Krishnapuri Park at RA Puram completes 50 years on November 30 this year? In these five decades, the park has given us fresh air, and relieved us from aches and pains by offering us a place in rain and shine to do brisk walks, deep breathing, yogic breathing, meditation and friendly chats. 

As one of the earliest settlers living just across the Krishnapuri Park, I join you all in expressing gratitude for the park that has kept us physically fit these 50 years.

Many noted personalities including Dr. H.V. Hande, Dr. Badhrinath, Prof. M.S. Swaminathan and noted film stars have visited the Krishnapuri Park and have expressed admiration. 

I had the pleasure of reading the nice article by Dr. Jothirmay Biswas of Sankara Nethralaya in the November 15-30 issue of Madras Musings, titled ‘Everyday in the Park.’ It was beautifully written, and much of what he has narrated about Jeeva Park has been taking place in Krishnapuri Park, too. As a long-time reader and admirer of Madras Musings, I wonder about the random coincidence of events in Krishnapuri Park and Jeeva Park in Chennai. I request all users of Krishnapuri Park to read the e-copy of November 15th, Madras Musings and see the similarities.

Krishnapuri Park has a long history of vistors and cinema shooting in these 50 years. Readers of Madras Musings are welcome to visit the Krishnapuri Park, a beautiful lung space in the crowded area.

Dr. Lakshman Rao
33, Krishapuri, Chennai 600 028

On Kotturpuram Bridge

This refers to the article in your issue dated November 1, 2024. There was a bridge that connected Kotturpuram to Nandanam but it was for housing a huge pipe. A concrete beam alongside the pipe was part of the constructed bridge. The width of this beam must have been less than two feet.

This was used by the residents of the housing colonies in Kotturpuram as a pathway to walk to and from Nandanam and areas beyond. It must have been the shortest route. I remember in the mid 1970s, men, women of all ages and even children used this as a footpath.
On the one side there was no support or railings at all. The other side was of course the pipe but there was still a gap in between. And way down below was the Adyar river.

It was amazing for me to watch the people walk easily and so casually as if it were firm ground. In fact it was a busy stretch.
I tried to walk this stretch as a test of my courage. It was a terrifying experience to say the least. I could not slow down lest I block others nor could I turn back halfway. Over months I tried this a few times, each time blaming myself for undertaking this torture willfully and vowing never to repeat it. However, try as I might I never got over this fear.

ramamurthy ravichandren
rrcv3@yahoo.co.in

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