Tamil Nadu Health Minister assures safety for doctors after protests over Chennai doctor attack

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Health Minister M Subramaniyan assured the safety of doctors in the state saying that discussions with doctors' unions and associations had been productive over the recent attack over a doctor in Chennai.
The Minister emphasized that, while doctors in some areas staged protests to show solidarity, there were no major disruptions to medical services across the state.
Additionally, Subramaniyan mentioned that pilot projects to install metal detectors in certain locations are being considered to assess their feasibility for enhancing security.
Doctors' unions across Tamil Nadu staged protests in solidarity with Dr Balaji, who was stabbed by a patient's attendant.
The protests also highlighted the demand for improved safety measures to protect doctors from any form of violence.
Assuring the safety for doctors Health Minister M Subramaniyan says, "We had discussion with Doctors Unions and association yesterday. We shared our disappointment each other over the untoward incident. They are satisfied with the government measures. There are no disturbances to Health and Medical facilities in Tamil Nadu. In some places to show solidarity doctors demonstrate protest but there is no disturbances in any medical services."
Minister M Subramaniyan also said steps are being taken to keep metal detectors in one and two places as pilot base to check the feasibility.
"In the meeting yesterday, Doctors Union asked for metal detectors and bag scanners to ensure their safety. On the guidance of TN CM, in one and two places as pilot base we have decided to keep to check the feasibility. We need to check feasibility as Patients would be on huge in OP," M Subramaniyan said.
The incident at Chennai where a doctor in Guindy Kalaingar Centenary Super Speciality was stabbed by a patient attender alleging for not providing proper treatment to his mother has created panic and tension across doctors working in government hospitals.
Various Unions across Tamil Nadu announced protests to show solidarity and with demands to ensure safety for them.
In many district government hospitals doctors staged protest by boycotting OP for a while. In Chennai RGGH, Guindy Kalaingar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital, Egmore Children Hospital doctors protested for some time.
Speaking to ANI, Doctor Bala Manikandan, TNGDA, District President said, "On behalf of all government doctors only two demands we have, one is to strengthen the protection of hospitals. The second thing is to take stringent action against culprits who carries violence against doctors. We are taking utmost care as none of the patients are being denied treatment in the government hospitals. Beside that we doing peaceful demonstration inside hospital."
Another Doctor Balakrishnan, Convenor Government Doctors Association says "Strict action should be taken against anti social elements who assaulted the doctor in the hospital. Two tier security should be given to government hospitals. Attenders should be restricted inside hospitals. Metal detectors should be used in entry and security should be placed in entrance of hospitals."
Giving an update on Doctor Balaji, Health Minister MA Subramaniyum said, "The doctor is stable and he would be shifted to individual room from ICU today late afternoon."
"Doctor Balaji is fine after getting treatment in ICU. I met him this morning and spoke with him. Today he spoke well. Following this after today afternoon from ICU Doctor Balaji would be shifted to individual room after certain checkups," M Subramaniyan said.
The individual indentified as Vignesh who was involved in the attack incident was booked under 7 sections 126(2), 115(2), 118(1), 121(2), 109, 151(3) & also under 48 of 2008 Tamil Nadu Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act.
Vignesh has been imprisoned in Puzhal Prison. The Court has ordered 15 days Judicial custody for the accused.
On Thursday, Doctors staged protests in Cuddalore District showing solidarity to Doctor Balaji who was stabbed by patient attender. Doctors also staged protests at Kalaignar Centenary Super speciality hospital condemning the incident and seeking security and safety of doctors.
Dr Balaji Jagannath, an oncologist was "stabbed at least seven times" by accused Vigneswaran in Kalaignar Centenary hospital in Chennai, officials said yesterday.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday called Dr Balaji and enquired about his health and treatment status while assuring him of all the support from the state government.