Resident doctor assaulted at Hyderabad’s Niloufer Hospital by patient’s attendants

A second-year postgraduate (PG) resident doctor at Niloufer Hospital in Hyderabad was allegedly assaulted by a patient’s attendants while on duty in the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit (RICU).

The incident occurred after a child who had been shifted from the RICU to an isolation ward during recovery began crying excessively. The duty doctor had examined the child and counselled the attendants earlier in the evening of June 7. However, five attendants, including two men and three women, subsequently entered the RICU.

Although the child was experiencing only minimal distress, the resident doctor decided to shift the patient back to the RICU to ensure closer monitoring and patient safety. The doctor then asked the attendants to leave the restricted care area, allowing only the child’s mother to remain, in accordance with ICU protocols. Instead of complying with the instructions, the attendants assaulted the resident doctor, said a representative of Telangana Junior Doctors Association (T-JUDA).

Responding to the attack, the Osmania Junior Doctors Association, raised concerns about the hospital’s emergency response mechanisms, claiming that doctors on duty were unable to immediately inform the police through the Resident Medical Officer (RMO) because the helpline was reportedly not functioning at the time of the incident.

The doctors demanded the immediate registration of a criminal case against the alleged perpetrators and sought strict legal action under all applicable laws meant to protect healthcare workers.