The incident in which a young female doctor named Vandana Das was stabbed to death by an inebriated patient has literally shocked the whole of Kerala. She was on duty at Kottarakkara Taluk Hospital, Kollam when a patient in treatment used a medical instrument to fatally stab her. The aggressor has taken away the life of a person who could have saved many lives in decades to come. This tragic incident took place before the state could recover from the shock of the Tanur boat disaster that killed 22 people. Violence and threats against doctors have been on the rise in recent years. Last year alone there were more than 100 incidents of attacks. There is an argument that doctors are being attacked because of faults in treatment and misbehaviour on their part. Another theory is that doctors are being scrutinised on account of death due to complications of illness. Regardless of the reason, it is a fact that doctors and health workers are coming under attack. Doctors' organizations have been constantly raising their voice and demanding government intervention. It has to be said that the government has not dealt with this demand seriously enough. A legislator who is also a former minister even went to the extent of saying in public that some doctors deserve to be beaten.
Also read: Kerala HM Veena George’s remark over murder of Dr Vandana draws flak
"One will be killed soon. Maybe it will be me. Or it could be anyone else," said the leader of the organisation in a protest meeting of doctors. However, even after this tragedy, our authorities cannot say with conviction that no more health workers will be attacked in Kerala. Instead, there has been an extremely immature and irresponsible response from the Health Minister that 'such an incident occurred being scared probably because the young doctor did not have enough experience'. Is the minister saying that doctors should practise physical techniques to resist attacks from those who come seeking treatment? In fact, we are often experiencing disasters caused by the incompetence and lack of experience and will of those who govern. Last April, the state's Chief Secretary pointed out that the health department is the most incompetent one in Kerala.
Doctors can examine patients properly and provide good treatment only if they have peace of mind and go on about the day without the fear of being attacked at any time. The government has an obligation to create such an environment in hospitals. Dr Vandana's murder proves that the government systems have failed in that regard. It is also a serious lapse that the police did not follow the procedures while bringing a suspect who is addicted to drugs. Everyone needs to remember that the threat of violence against doctors and hospitals is creating a huge crisis in the health care field. Kerala is a state that has been a role model for the rest of the world in regard to public healthcare. The current crisis will lead to the collapse of that image. It is not enough to say that the state is number one. It also has an obligation to maintain it. The biggest tribute that can be given to Dr Vandana is a pledge by the government and the public that such incidents will not happen again in the state.