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Hospital Staff Attacked: Security Lapses Exposed
30 Apr
Summary
- Nursing and security staff assaulted by deceased patient's relatives.
- Security personnel only present in neonatal and casualty wards.
- Medical staff express fear over safety and lack of security.
An assault on nursing and security staff by relatives of a deceased patient at King Edward Memorial Hospital (KEM) in Parel has underscored significant safety concerns for medical personnel. The incident, which occurred early on April 28, involved a group of 14 to 15 relatives who allegedly resorted to verbal abuse, death threats, and physical violence against two nurses and four security guards. One nurse remains hospitalized following the attack.
Subsequent investigations revealed that security presence is minimal, with uniformed personnel only stationed in the neonatal and casualty wards. Wards in both the old and new buildings lack entry checks, allowing unauthorized individuals to access patient areas. On-duty doctors voiced their anxieties, describing the situation as "scary" and noting the persistent lack of security even days after the incident.
Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) has condemned the attack and urged the government to bolster hospital security, ensure swift police intervention, and implement robust safeguarding mechanisms for healthcare workers. KEM Hospital's Dean, Dr. Sangeeta Rawat, has requested trained guards equipped with defensive tools, while Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi assured that the matter would be escalated to higher BMC authorities.
