Female patient assaults doctors, nurses in city

Mumbai: A patient allegedly beat up doctors and nurses of the civic-run Shatabdi Hospital on Thursday.

This led to a flash strike by the hospital staff for four hours. The accused, Himani Sharma, who is also an accused in a criminal case, was brought to the hospital for a medical checkup.

Doctors and nurses claimed a ‘drunk’ wom-an patient, brought to the hospital by the police, assaulted them. At least five people were reportedly hurt, inform-ed officials from the hospital.

Immediately, after the alleged assault, the outpatient departments (OPD) and emergency sections were emptied of patients by the striking staff, who shut the hospital down for over four hours. Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Shatabdi Hospital, Dr P. Lekharaj said,  “She was brought here for medical checkup by the police. But a doctor wasn't available immediately, since he had gone to freshen up. The woman became hysterical after waiting for some time and started abusing every one of the hospital staff. At least five people were hurt.”

OPD and other ward patients suffered due to flash strike that followed. “When I reached the hospital, many patients were standing outside the gate. There were pregnant ladies and injured persons. Eventually police reached the spot,” Charkop assembly, convenor of Aam Aadami Party Khalid Siddique, recalled.