Act against those who threatened doctor: IMA

Mangaluru: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Mangaluru branch strongly condemned the assault and threats against a senior govt doctor in Puttur. IMA Mangaluru president Dr Jessy Maria D'Souza stated that the appalling incident involving abuse and threats against Dr Asha Jyothi Putturaya, chief medical officer of the Puttur Taluk Hospital, was an unacceptable act of intimidation carried out by the attendents of a patient within the hospital NICU, simply because the doctor requested adherence to basic hospital protocol to maintain the sanctity of the NICU.
"It is a direct attack on the dignity, authority, and safety of a senior gazetted officer of the state govt performing her lawful duties. That a woman doctor, serving with commitment and integrity, can be subjected to such behaviour within a govt institution is both shocking and shameful. The accused remain at large, with no arrests made. The IMA Mangaluru warns that failure to act with urgency and firmness in this matter will embolden miscreants and set a dangerous precedent. We call upon the govt and police to act now — not with statements, but with action," Dr Jessy stated.
Association of Medical Consultants (AMC) Mangaluru president Dr Vatsala Kamath, condemning the incident, said, "If matters of safety of women doctors are taken lightly, it is quite likely we will have a repeat of the Kolkata incident that shocked the nation in August 2024."
Ashok Kumar Rai, the MLA of Puttur, condemned any attempts to harass doctors during their duty hours. He emphasised that doctors require a suitable environment to perform their duties effectively. He noted that certain individuals were attempting to utilise the incident for political advantages. He assured that the accused would face appropriate legal consequences and instructed the police to apprehend the suspect at the earliest.
Following the incident, doctors staged a protest under the aegis of IMA on Friday night and Saturday. Hindutva organisation leaders, including Arun Kumar Puthila, joined the protest. Doctors at Puttur Taluk Hospital worked wearing black armbands as a mark of protest.