Tamil Nadu Health Minister: Doctors call off protest after minister’s assurance
Chennai: In the wake of the horrific stabbing event in Chennai, Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian said on Wednesday that physicians have withdrawn their protest after receiving guarantees from the minister on their safety.
“The protest that the doctors had previously announced has been dropped. The physicians have withdrawn their protest after we gave them assurances concerning their safety,” the health minister said at a news conference.
Accused Vigneswaran reportedly attacked Dr. Balaji seven times at Chennai’s Kalaignar Centenary Hospital earlier today. He had been visiting the hospital for his mother’s chemotherapy treatment.
The wounded doctor’s stability and safety were also guaranteed by the health minister.
“The doctor is receiving therapy and is now safe. He has experience working in many state government hospitals. One individual was taken into custody by the police after the event, and Subramanian said that more investigation is being conducted.
Udhayanidhi Stalin, the deputy chief minister, also promised that the government would make sure that a similar tragedy didn’t occur again.
“I already spoke to the media in the afternoon after I saw the injured doctor,” he stated. An accident occurred. The minister of health is speaking to reporters. We’ll make sure that doesn’t occur once again.
A statement outlining specific safety precautions for healthcare professionals was also released by the state’s Directorate of Public Health and Preventative Medicine. According to the announcement, among many other things, it will control public and patient family access, guarantee that CCTV cameras are operational and have enough illumination, and guarantee that police officers regularly patrol primary health centers.
In order “to strategize and implement appropriate security measures,” the notice also mandated that primary health centers establish a “hospital security committee” and a “violence prevention committee.”
“The relevant block medical officers or in-charge medical officers may serve as the chairman of the “Hospital Security Committee.” Additionally, the letter said that top physicians can serve as the chairman of the “Violence Prevention Committee.”
