Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George has been drawing criticism from several quarters for her remark over the murder of Dr Vandana Das, a house surgeon on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old doctor Vandana Das, a student at Azeezia Medical College, who appointed in Kottarakara taluk hospital for her house surgency training, was stabbed to death by a patient, Sandeep.
Sandeep, 42, a school teacher from Pooyappally in Kollam, was brought to the hospital for treatment. He was reportedly undergoing de-addiction therapy for drug use.
Reacting to the murder, George, a journalist-turned two time legislator, said this happened to the young doctor because she was not experienced to handle such attacks and that she got scared.
The Minister's reply did not go down well with the medicos, and a woman doctor reacted sharply, "So it means we have to learn self-defence also apart from learning medicine".
Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan said this sad incident occurred as the police is "inefficient".
"It's been said the patient was brought to the hospital by a police team. They knew the patient was in a violent state and they failed to act appropriately. And the statement of George is untenable and it means that doctors should now learn karate and kalayaripayettu for their self-defence. This Health Minister will enter Guinness for becoming the Minister who would have ordered the maximum probes," said Satheesan.
Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan said this shows the way the health sector in the state is run and it's come to a stage that the health sector doesn't have a proper and effective leader.
Responding to the row, Veena George said that it is unfortunate that even at a time when a woman has been brutally murdered, politicians and the media are trying to twist her statements to create a controversy. “People who know me will know that I am not someone who reacts insensitively about such a tragic incident,” she said.
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan came to pay their last respects at a premier hospital in the capital city, where the woman doctor passed away.
Sandeep was brought to the hospital around 4 a.m. by the local police after he created ruckus in his house. A medical official said Sandeep picked up a surgical blade and attacked Vandana Das multiple times when she was attending to him.
"She was given emergency treatment and shifted to a premier hospital in the capital city. Despite best efforts, her life could not be saved," said a senior Indian Medical Association office-bearer.
Sandeep, according to local legislator K.B. Ganesh Kumar, was undergoing de-addiction therapy.
"It's very sad that despite such incidents happening frequently, no action is taken after a probe. Stringent action should be taken in such cases," said the film star-turned-politician.
As the news spread, hundreds of doctors rushed to the hospital where her body is kept.
"Despite promises, no action is being taken and hence we are going on a strike. We demand that strict action be taken without any more promises," they asserted.
Soon after the incident the medical professionals in both the private and government sector called for a 24-hour strike and only attended to emergency services.