KDMC Doctors Assault Sparks Political Storm; Shrikant Shinde Assures Action, Medical Services Disrupted Amid Protests
The alleged assault on doctors and hospital employees at KDMC's Shastri Nagar Hospital has escalated into a major political and medical issue, drawing sharp reactions from political leaders and prompting widespread protests by healthcare professionals across Kalyan and Dombivli.
The controversy erupted after Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) corporator Ramesh Mhatre and his supporters were accused of assaulting doctors and staff following a dispute over the referral of a newborn patient to another hospital due to the unavailability of beds in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). The incident, captured on CCTV and widely circulated on social media, has intensified demands for stronger protection for healthcare workers.
Reacting to the incident, Kalyan MP Dr. Shrikant Shinde strongly condemned the alleged attack and said violence against doctors and medical staff could not be justified under any circumstances. He stated that healthcare professionals dedicate themselves to serving patients even under stressful conditions and assured that those found responsible would face strict legal consequences. Shinde also clarified that the Shiv Sena would not shield anyone involved and that disciplinary action would be taken within the party if required.
Police have registered an FIR against Ramesh Mhatre and several others, while investigators are analysing CCTV footage and collecting evidence as part of the ongoing probe.
The incident also triggered a large-scale protest by private doctors in Kalyan and Dombivli. Members of the Indian Medical Association (IMA), National Integrated Medical Association (NIMA) and other medical bodies suspended outpatient (OPD) and inpatient (IPD) services for the day while continuing emergency treatment. Medical associations said the protest was aimed at highlighting the growing threat faced by doctors inside hospitals and demanded stronger security measures along with swift legal action against the accused.
IMA office-bearers stated that healthcare professionals should not become targets of violence for systemic issues such as the shortage of specialised hospital facilities. Representatives of the medical fraternity later met to discuss their future course of action if adequate safeguards are not introduced.
Meanwhile, Ramesh Mhatre expressed regret over the controversy but denied allegations that he had assaulted a woman doctor. He maintained that the CCTV footage should be examined carefully and claimed no physical assault had taken place. Mhatre also appealed to investigators to consider the version of the patient's family while examining the incident.
The issue has also intensified political confrontation in Maharashtra. NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar visited the hospital to meet the affected doctors and hospital staff and warned that his party would launch an agitation if immediate action was not taken against all those involved. He was accompanied by senior party leaders who also demanded speedy arrests and a transparent investigation.
The assault has once again brought the safety of healthcare workers into focus, with doctors' organisations warning that repeated attacks inside hospitals could adversely affect public healthcare services and discourage medical professionals from working in high-pressure government institutions.
