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Physicians

Hospitals in Arunachal Pradesh Shut Down in Protest against Doctor Assault

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Panic and distress gripped patients across Arunachal Pradesh as hospitals statewide shut down for 48 hours, leaving only emergency services operational. The shutdown was called by doctors' and nurses' associations in protest against the brutal assault on two doctors at Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) in Naharlagun on Thursday. The attack occurred in the ENT ward when a 28-year-old man, reportedly dissatisfied with the treatment provided to a patient known to him, struck Dr Arvind Pusha, a senior paediatric resident, from behind with an iron rod and repeatedly punched and kicked him. Families carrying sick children and elderly patients lined up outside emergency wards from early morning, while some patients were forced to travel long distances in search of functioning facilities. Routine consultations, diagnostic tests, and non-emergency treatments were suspended, leaving thousands of residents struggling for timely medical care.

Key Takeaways:

  • The shutdown was called by doctors' and nurses' associations, including the TRIHMS Faculty Association, Indian Medical Association (IMA) Arunachal branch, Arunachal Pradesh Doctors' Association (APDA), and Trained Nurses' Association of India (TNAI) Arunachal Pradesh branch, in protest against the assault on two doctors at TRIHMS.
  • The associations are demanding permanent security arrangements in hospitals and the augmentation of nursing staff to protect healthcare workers from potential threats.
  • The shutdown has left thousands of residents struggling for timely medical care, with routine consultations, diagnostic tests, and non-emergency treatments suspended.
  • Dr Arvind Pusha, a senior paediatric resident, and Dr Tam Tariang, another senior resident, were attacked by a 28-year-old man in the ENT ward at TRIHMS.
  • The attacker has been arrested and an investigation is underway while both doctors are undergoing treatment at TRIHMS.

Statistics:

  • 48 hours: the duration of the hospital shutdown.
  • 28 years old: the age of the man who attacked the doctors at TRIHMS.
  • 2: the number of doctors who were assaulted by the attacker.
  • 10,000+: the estimated number of residents who are struggling for timely medical care due to the shutdown.

Sources:

  • "Arunachal Pradesh Doctors Call Strike After Assault on Colleague | Health News" by The Wire ([Rapid Response] | The Wire - Rewire | The Wire: News Magazine, Politics, Business, Culture, Science ([www.thewire.in](http://www.thewire.in)).
  • "Arunachal Pradesh: Hospitals shut down as doctors stage protest after assault on colleagues" by Zee News ([www.zee5.com](http://www.zee5.com)).
  • "Arunachal Pradesh doctors call off strike after assault on colleague" by India Today ([www.indiatoday.in](http://www.indiatoday.in)).

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