Chennai Doctor Stabbed 7 Times By Son Of Woman Who Has Cancer

A Tamil Nadu government doctor was stabbed seven times at a Chennai hospital Wednesday morning - by a young man whose mother had been treated for cancer by the same doctor six months ago.

The young man was also a patient attender at that hospital.

The doctor, an oncologist, is also a heart patient and suffered injuries to his upper chest and head. He is in critical but stable condition, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said. A senior doctor said his colleague has a pacemaker and was cut on his forehead and back, and was also hit on his stomach.

The man who stabbed him has been arrested; the attack took place in the OPD, or outpatient department, of the Kalaignar Centenary Hospital in the city's Guindy neighbourhood, after the accused suspected the doctor had prescribed incorrect medication to his mother, a cancer patient.

The man tried to escape after stabbing the doctor but was caught and handed over to the police.

VIDEO | Attacker Walks Away After Stabbing Doctor, People Shout "He Cut Him"

The attacker used a small knife hidden on his person, the Health Minister said.

"Our Responsibility...": MK Stalin

Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered an inquiry and promised medical aid, as well as providing assurances such an attack won't happen again. "It is our responsibility to ensure their safety."

In a long message (in Tamil) on X the Chief Minister said, "The selfless work of our government doctors in providing treatment to patients regardless of the time is immeasurable. The government will take measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future."

The Chief Minister's deputy and son, Udhayanidhi Stalin, told NDTV the accused's mother had been shifted to a private medical facility after being treated for six months at the Kalaignar Centenary Hospital, a state-run institute, and that the doctors at the former had "misled" him.

Opposition Reacts To Doctor Stabbing

The attack has also triggered criticism from the opposition.

Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Tamil Nadu Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan spoke up and slammed the state government.

"I want to condemn the Tamil Nadu government because there is no protection for anybody... even in the schools such incidents are happening. The police force is under the control of the Chief Minister... but he did not come (to the hospital to see the injured doctor). Only the Deputy Chief Minister came."

The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has demanded the Health Minister's resignation.

Dr Vijayabaskar, who was earlier in that post, told NDTV the ruling party had shown itself incapable of ensuring the safety of doctors even in the heart of Chennai. "It is a planned attack..." he declared.

Tamil Nadu Doctors Protest

Meanwhile, doctors at the hospital are up in arms and non-emergency services were suspended. 

A colleague of the injured doctor told NDTV healthcare professionals were now worried for their safety and called for increased security at hospitals, including the presence of armed security guards.

READ | "2-Tier Security, Armed Guards": Demands After Patient Stabs Chennai Doctor

"Doctors feel insecure. The attack was a security lapse and indicates lack of fear of the law... security should tightened. CCTCs have been set up but I don't think they function," Dr Anto Uresh, a member of the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors' Association, said.

The Chennai attack refocuses the spotlight on the safety of healthcare workers at their workplace, an issue that rocketed to national attention after the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital. One accused - Sanjay Roy - has been arrested for that crime.

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