A government doctor was stabbed seven times at a Chennai hospital Wednesday morning by a young man who posed as an employee. The doctor, an oncologist, is also a heart patient and suffered injuries to his upper chest. He is in the ICU but is in stable condition, sources said.
The man who stabbed him has been arrested; the attack took place in the OPD, or outpatient department, of the Kalaignar Centenary Hospital after he suspected the doctor had prescribed incorrect medication to his mother, a cancer patient.
The accused, 26 years old according to some reports, tried to escape after stabbing the doctor but was caught and handed over to the nearby Guindy Police Station.
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said the attacker used a small knife hidden on his person, but insisted there was no security lapse. Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered an inquiry and promised medical aid, as well as providing assurances such an attack won’t happen again.
“Service of doctors is laudable… and it is our responsibility to ensure their safety,” he said.
In a long message (in Tamil) on X the Chief Minister said, “The selfless work of our government doctors in providing treatment to patients regardless of the time is immeasurable. The government will take measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.”
The Chennai attack refocuses the spotlight on the safety of healthcare workers at their workplace, an issue that rocketed to national attention after the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital. One accused – Sanjay Roy – has been arrested for that crime.
