Doctors, House Surgeons, and PGs at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) staged a protest demanding enhanced security measures following a sexual assault attempt on a female doctor by an outsider.
Coimbatore: Doctors, House Surgeons, and Postgraduate students at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) staged a protest at the Dean's office on Wednesday, demanding increased security measures following a sexual assault attempt on a female doctor by an unauthorized person.
According to the protesting doctors, the incident occurred around 9:00 PM on Tuesday when a female doctor went to retrieve her bike parked near the Intensive Medical Care Unit (IMCU) and Dean's office. An unauthorized individual approached her, removed his pants, and attempted to hug her. Fortunately, the doctor managed to push him away, and the assailant fled the campus.
The doctors immediately informed the Resident Medical Officer (RMO) and Staff Advisor about the incident, and the police were notified. However, the perpetrator managed to evade capture during the initial search.
In a surprising turn of events, the same individual returned to the hospital's casualty ward around 1:00 AM. Alert staff members caught him and handed him over to the police.
The RMO assured the protesting doctors that a formal complaint would be filed by the hospital management, and necessary action would be taken to prevent such incidents in the future.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of medical professionals, especially during night shifts. The protesting doctors are demanding enhanced security measures, including increased surveillance and stricter access control to the hospital premises.
The protesting doctors have outlined several demands to enhance security:
- Adequate CCTV coverage
- Improved lighting throughout the campus
- Mandatory attendants' passes
- A separate parking area for students
- Restricted entry for attendants, especially during nighttime
- Mandatory security and outpost guard patrols
- Armed police security presence
This incident highlights the vulnerability of healthcare workers and the urgent need for improved safety protocols in medical institutions. The CMCH administration is expected to address these concerns promptly to ensure a safe working environment for all staff members.