The doctors’ community is in shock after two separate attacks on medical professionals within hours of each other in Chennai. On 13 November 2024, shortly after an oncologist was stabbed by an aggrieved patient’s relative at Kalaignar Centenary Super-Speciality Hospital in Guindy, a psychiatrist was assaulted by a mentally unstable individual at Government Stanley Hospital.
Dr. P. Hariharan, 49, an Assistant Professor in the Psychiatry Department at Stanley Hospital, was attending to patients in the outpatient ward when he encountered 24-year-old S. Bharath, a resident of Neelankarai MGR Nagar. A brief disagreement escalated quickly, with Bharath attacking Dr. Hariharan before fleeing the scene.
Following the incident, the principal of Stanley Government Hospital, Balaji, filed a formal complaint with the Washermenpet police station, who have launched an investigation into the attack. Initial reports suggest that Bharath had been a patient at the hospital last year, receiving treatment for a month. The police are actively searching for the assailant.
ANOTHER DOCTOR ATTACKED IN GOVT STANLEY HOSPITAL
Hours after an Oncologist was stabbed by a aggrieved patient attendant at Kalaignar Centenary Super-Speciality Hospital in Guindy on Wednesday, another doctor, a psychiatrist, was attacked by a mentally challenged person at the…
— A Selvaraj (@Crime_Selvaraj) November 13, 2024
On the same day, a doctor at Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH) in Guindy, Chennai, was critically injured in a violent attack. Dr Balaji Jagannath, an associate professor in the Department of Oncology, was reportedly attacked by Vignesh, a man from Perungalathur, who allegedly blamed Dr Jagannath for his mother’s condition.
The altercation began around 10:30 AM, when Vignesh entered the oncology department with an outpatient pass, accompanied by a group. The disagreement escalated over the treatment provided to his mother, Prema, a cancer patient, during which Vignesh allegedly slashed the doctor’s neck and inflicted several injuries. Onlookers quickly intervened, and Dr Jagannath was rushed to the ICU, where he is reported to be in critical condition.
Dr Jagannath, who is a cardiac patient and on anticoagulants, suffered severe bleeding and injuries to his neck, head, and back. According to KCSSH Director L. Parthasarathy, he was immediately taken into surgery, where a team from the Cardiothoracic, Vascular, and Neuro Surgery departments stabilized his condition.
Following the incident, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed shock on social media and ordered a thorough investigation. The Chief Minister assured that the government is committed to ensuring the safety of healthcare workers. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin and Health Minister Ma. Subramanian visited KCSSH in response to the attack.
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