Doctors stage protests in solidarity with WB docs

Hyderabad: Doctors in the government-run and private hospitals on Monday staged protests to express their solidarity with the protesting doctors in Kolkata. On a call given by Indian Medical Association (IMA), doctors at all major teaching hospitals in Telangana joined the token protest to condemn the brutal attack on a doctor at a Kolkata hospital.

Doctors at Gandhi Hospital, Osmania Hospital and Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), private hospitals like Continental Hospitals in Hyderabad and other hospitals in Telangana staged the protests, demanding an end to violence against doctors. After the token protests, doctors attended their duties wearing black badges.

"The doctor community as a whole is very much anguished and pained at the increasing incidences of violence against the medical fraternity. It's really important for everyone to understand that no doctor wishes ill for the patient, sometimes the outcome may not be favourable in spite of our best efforts.

What's really important is for the government to tighten the existing laws to prevent such incidences from repeating," said Dr Pradeep Singh Head & Neck Surgeon, Continental Hospitals. The medical staff of the hospital took out a solidary walk, expressing their support for the cause of Kolkata doctors.

Dr Praveen Dadi Reddy, Chief Breast Oncoplastic Surgeon of the same hospital has this to say: "Doctors sacrifice their personal and family lives and tremendous stress but still put patients first. It is time they are accorded due respect and provided with a safe environment to practice evidence based medicine.

People should understand that physicians provide medical care in the best interests of the patient, but they have their limitations. Resorting to violence in such situations should be discouraged and strong and effective laws promulgated to punish the offenders."