One of the doctors, who was attacked by Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre three days ago over a dispute over the shortage of NICU beds in a Thane Hospital in Maharashtra, has resigned from his post, citing fear. According to reports, the 26-year-old resident medical officer has left the city and vowed never to return due to fear for safety.
“I have resigned because there is a lot of fear. Goons are watching us, and I have already left the city. They are very dangerous people. The other doctors may continue working there, but I cannot. I will not go back there again,” the doctor said. He added that he did not wish to be identified as he fears for his safety.
The doctor completed his BAMS degree and has been working as an RMO at KDMC’s Shastrinagar Hospital for nearly five months. On July 6, he was on evening duty from 3 pm to 10 pm along with another woman doctor, two nurses and a hospital attendant, when the assault on them took place.
The doctor further said that he was constantly changing locations after receiving threatening phone calls and messages after the incident, and also alleged that unknown persons were following him. He said that he didn’t inform his mother about the incident. He told the Indian Express, “My mother is a school teacher. She is a single parent, and I’m her only child. I don’t have the courage to tell her what happened. I cannot imagine what she will go through if she knows. Right now, I’m just trying to survive.”
He said that he felt relieved after learning that Ramesh Mhatre was arrested after he surrendered, but denied Mhatre’s claims that he didn’t assault a female doctor. He said, “He has tried to shift the focus by highlighting the assault on a woman, knowing that it is a sensitive issue. But that does not justify the assault on a male doctor. No camera angle can hide the truth of what actually happened.”
The incident happened on 6th July in Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation’s Shastri Nagar Hospital. The officials at the hospital had informed the family of a patient that their newborn might require NICU care, but all beds were occupied, so they suggested moving to another hospital. But the family refused to leave the hospital, and they contacted Mhatre, who arrived at the hospital along with his supporters.
CCTV footage showed Mhatre and his supporters aggressively slapping the doctors at the hospital. A woman doctor was seen trying to call for help before Mhatre slapped her, causing her phone to fall. The incident sparked widespread public anger. Doctors and nurses launched protests demanding better security and stricter action.
Two days later, Mhatre surrendered before the Thane police in connection with the incident. Police arrested him after his surrender, making him the fourth person held in the case. Condemning the incident, Shiv Sena MP Dr Shrikant Eknath Shinde said the party would not protect anyone involved in the violence.
