WARDHA: A woman medical officer was allegedly assaulted and verbally abused by an accused brought by police for a medical examination at the primary health centre (PHC) in Talegaon Shyamji Pant, Ashti taluka of Wardha district.
The accused was allegedly under the influence of alcohol when he charged at the doctor.
CCTV footage of the incident, which occurred around midnight on Wednesday, went viral on social media. Medical officers across the district boycotted work in protest on Thursday.
The accused, Kadir Ali Razzaq Ali, a resident of Talegaon, was accompanied by two police personnel and three home guards when he allegedly slapped the woman medical officer and used obscene language, sources said. Even after being taken out of the outpatient department (OPD), he allegedly continued to abuse her.
Six months ago, a patient’s relative had assaulted a doctor at the same PHC. Angered by the latest attack, healthcare staff marched to Talegaon police station to protest. Based on the medical officer’s complaint, police registered a case against Kadir Ali on Thursday.
The incident has raised questions about security arrangements for medical personnel during examinations of accused persons brought in by police.
Alleged illegal sale of alcohol, ganja and gutka in the area has also drawn attention.
Dilip Utane of AITUC and the Maharashtra State Medical Officers’ Federation condemned the assault. Medical officers also submitted a memorandum of demands to district collector Vanmathi C., chief executive officer Parag Soman and superintendent of police Saurabhkumar Agrawal.
The Federation demanded strict action against the accused, along with administrative action against the police personnel who allegedly failed to take adequate precautions while bringing him for examination. It also called for special measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Federation also announced that accused persons would no longer undergo medical examinations at PHCs.