Doctor’s go on flash strike after drunk patient beats up nurse in Shatabdi Hospital

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Mumbai: The doctors and hospital staff of the Shatabdi Hospital, Kandivli, went on a ‘flash strike’ after they were allegedly beaten up by a patient in the wee hours of Thursday morning. They claimed they were assaulted by a ‘drunk’ woman patient, brought to the hospital by the Bangur Nagar Police. Immediately after the incident, patients at the hospital’s outpatient departments (OPD) and emergency sections were asked to clear out around 6am, and the hospital remained shut for four hours.

Reportedly, a patient, Himani Sharma, was admitted to the hospital by Bangur Nagar Police early on Thursday. “She was due for a medical check-up but the doctor had gone to freshen up. The woman apparently lost her cool after waiting awhile and began to beat up nurses, doctors and other staff. At least five people were hurt,” according to a hospital staffer. Meanwhile, patients had to suffer as the doctors and hospital staff had sent away patients from the OPD and emergency ward. “When I reached the hospital, many patients were standing outside the gate. There were pregnant women and injured people. I helped them get admitted to nearby private hospitals. Eventually police reached the spot,” said Khalid Siddique, Charkop assembly convener of the Aam Aadmi Party.

Health experts and doctors have said doctors should not strike after every incident, as patients have to suffer. After Sharma created a ruckus at the hospital, the doctors registered a complaint at Kandivli police station. “Sharma was caught in a brawl by Bangur Nagar police officers, who took her to Shatabdi Hospital for medical tests. As the doctors and nurses were busy, Sharma was asked to wait. However, she assaulted the police constable accompanying her, thrashed the nurse and broke medical equipment. We booked her under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code,” said Nitin Pondkule, a senior police inspector of Kandivli police station. Sharma was arrested on Thursday morning and sent to judicial custody.