A violent incident at the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital (KCSSH) in Guindy, Chennai, on 13 November 2024, shocked the public after a relative of a patient allegedly assaulted a doctor. The incident created a sensation in the city, but there appears to be more to the story.
When questioned about the attack, the assailant’s mother shared her perspective, claiming that the doctors at the hospital had not provided proper care or adequate responses to her concerns. She described the treatment as substandard, alleging that the doctors had been negligent and dismissive. According to her, her son’s violent reaction stemmed from the frustration and emotional distress he felt due to the perceived neglect of his mother’s condition. She emphasized that the attack was not premeditated, but rather a result of her son’s deep affection for her, which led to an outburst of anger and frustration after he felt that the hospital staff had failed to offer the care she deserved.
Vignesh’s mother, Prema, spoke to reporters, offering an explanation for her son’s actions, saying, “My son made a mistake because of the deep affection he has for me.” She continued to share her side of the story, shedding light on the circumstances that led to the incident. “He also suffers from heart problems has fits. He went to work in Guduvancheri, he had a fall and was admitted to SRM Hospital. They asked for a simple thing, ‘a letter with seal from Rajiv Gandhi Hospital’, but my younger son and he spent wandering trying to get it. The hospital refused, strictly saying, ‘We can’t provide it.’ Isn’t this a government hospital? They are kids, right? As you have belittled them, my children face such a situation. Instead, if you had encouraged!” she said, criticizing the government’s role in the situation.
Prema went on to express her frustration with the lack of support, asking, “What does the government say? They say they provide education and employment opportunities, but in what way? With only in words, not in actions right. What have you done in action? I have three children what have you done for us? Tell me!”
When asked by the press whether the doctor had performed any scans or explained her medical condition, Prema replied, “Not once did the doctor say ‘You’ve this problem’ to me. Not a single time.” She then lamented the spreading of false rumors about her health, stating, “Recently, some are deliberately spreading fake news that I have stage 5 cancer. Tell me whose work is that first.”
What Prema said next came as a shock. She revealed, “From Dr. Balaji’s own mouth, I was told by the Adayar Institute Hospital that my cancer was in the second stage and not to panic, that it could be cured quickly. They said, ‘Other hospitals will give you 12 (treatments/fees), but I can cure you with just 4 (treatments/fees).’ But I didn’t have enough money, so I had to leave. If I could afford it, I would have gone to Adayar Institute, but I simply don’t have the financial means, so I had to refuse.”
She then recounted what happened after she was admitted for treatment a month and a half later: “After my admission, Dr. Balaji told me, ‘No need for another chemotherapy,’ and just left without even bothering to check on me.” Prema further explained how she learned what was he really saying learning of the conversation from the patient in the bed next to hers.
When the press asked Prema what she would request from the government and the public regarding the issue, her son, standing nearby, expressed his frustration, saying, “Change the doctor.” However, Prema calmly responded, “Whether they change the doctor or not, I just want one thing let them provide proper treatment. At least others should benefit from it. That’s all I ask, sir.”
இது அவங்க ஆட்சி, அவர்கள் அரசு, அவர்களை என்ன கேட்க முடியும்? நம்மை கொன்றாலும் கொன்று விடுவார்கள்#guindy #GovernmentHospital #msubramanian #DMK #doctorattack #tamiljanam pic.twitter.com/zW6I47mOHd
— Tamil Janam (@TamilJanamNews) November 13, 2024
On the youth’s side who has been arrested for stabbing Dr. Balaji gave his statement to the police, explaining the chain of events. “I’ve been taking my mother, who suffers from cancer to the Government Hospital in Guindy for the last six months. Over time, her condition worsened. The doctors there advised me to bring her home. Afterward, I took her to a private hospital, where the doctors told me that she had received excessive chemotherapy, which caused further damage.”
The youth continued, “I went to meet Dr. Balaji the day before yesterday and argued with him for an hour. I told him that if my mother had been treated properly, she wouldn’t be in this condition. But he didn’t seem to care or provide any satisfactory response. I left the hospital feeling frustrated and angry. I couldn’t bear to see my mother in such pain, and it made me extremely upset. The next morning, I took a knife from the kitchen and went to the hospital. In a fit of rage, I stabbed Dr. Balaji.”
The police have confirmed the youth’s statement, and a case has been registered under multiple sections of the law. These include Section 126(2) for trespassing, Section 115(2) for acting with intent to cause harm, Section 118(1) for causing injury with a dangerous weapon, Section 121(2) for injuring a public servant on duty, Section 109 for attempting murder, and Section 351(3) for intimidation that resulted in injury threatening life. The charges reflect the severity of the incident and the ongoing legal proceedings.
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