Introduction
On Wednesday, a 23-year-old Doctor Stabbed to Death at Government Hospital in Kerala in Kollam district, Kerala. The assailant, a 42-year-old school teacher named S Sandeep, was brought to the hospital by the police for treatment of an injury he had suffered earlier. However, he suddenly became violent and attacked several people, including the doctor.
Assailant Stabbed Doctor Multiple Times with Scissors
According to police reports, the attacker was under the influence of alcohol and had grabbed scissors from the room to stab several people, including a policeman and the doctor, Vandana Das. She was a house surgeon at the Kottarakkara government taluk hospital, where the incident occurred. Unfortunately, she later died while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram.
Outrage and Demands for Safety Measures
Following Vandana’s tragic death, government doctors across the state boycotted work and took to the streets to demand justice for her and increased safety measures for healthcare professionals. The Kerala Government Medical Officers Association and Indian Medical Association also announced a boycott of duty, except for emergencies, on Thursday.
High Court and Chief Minister React
Vandana’s death also prompted reactions from the Kerala High Court, which warned that incidents like these could erode faith in the system by young doctors. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also expressed his shock and pain at the incident, calling attacks on healthcare workers unacceptable. He promised a comprehensive investigation and strong action against those responsible for the attack.
Sequence of Events
The sequence of events that led to the doctor’s death began early Wednesday when the accused called the police control room, claiming that he was being attacked. After being located near someone else’s house, he was taken to the Kottarakkara taluk hospital around 4:30 am. While in the dressing room, he turned violent and attacked several people, including Vandana.
Profile of the Assailant and the Victim
Sandeep is a teacher at a government-aided upper primary school in Kollam and had a history of becoming violent when under the influence of alcohol. In contrast, Vandana was an accomplished young doctor who had recently completed her MBBS from Azeezia Institute of Medical Sciences, Kollam. Her death was a great loss to her family and the entire community.
