Doctors stage stir against assault

In protest against the assault on a PG medical student by a group, alleging sexual harassment to a patient, the doctors and  students of Yenepoya University on Tuesday staged a protest and blocked the road.

Dr Niyaz, who is pursuing second-year PG at Yenepoya Medical College in Deralakatte was on Monday assaulted by a group for allegedly harassing a patient. He was later admitted to the hospital. His colleagues and students claimed that he was falsely implicated in the case. In fact, he had stopped another person from recording video while he was examining an outpatient.

Expressing solidarity with Dr Niyaz, the protesters condemned the assault on doctor and said that the incident is an insult to the entire medical fraternity. “Dr Niyaz should be given justice. This is only a symbolic protest. If he fails to get justice, then we will intensify protest,” the protesters said. 

“The girl who was suffering from respiratory problem was shifted to the medicine unit for special examination by Dr Niyaz. During the examination, the girl complained of a blister on her chest. The doctor then used his stethoscope to examine the girl, who was fully dressed, when a person standing behind the doctor began to record video of her.

When Dr Niyaz objected and tried to stop him, a group suddenly barged inside and assaulted the doctor. As per medical laws, whenever a female patient is examined, another lady has to be present in the room. Kusuma, a nurse at the hospital was present in the room when Dr Niyaz was examining the girl. Kusuma was witness to the entire incident,” the protesters added.

“This was a pre-planned assault. The incident has affected the career of a student. It has hurt us. Not only did they file a complaint, they (assaulter) even injured his face and head,” said PG student Dr Prakash Harishchandra.On the other hand, nurse Kusuma who was with Dr Niyaz said that there was no attempt of any abuse. “I was there when Dr Niyaz examined the patient. There was no attempt to sexually harass the girl,” she said.