A 26-year-old Resident Medical Officer (RMO) at KDMC's Shastrinagar Hospital has resigned following the alleged assault on doctors and hospital staff by Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and his associates. The doctor said he would not return to work, citing serious concerns for his safety.
Doctor Alleges Threats After Assault
The doctor said he has been receiving threatening phone calls and messages from unidentified individuals since the incident and has been constantly changing his location out of fear. He has not returned to the hospital since the alleged assault.
"My mother is a schoolteacher and she raised me on her own. I am her only son. I don't even have the courage to tell her what happened to me. I cannot imagine how devastated she would be if she found out. Right now, my only priority is to stay safe," he said.
According to the FIR registered at Vishnunagar Police Station, the doctor is a resident of Washim district and has completed his BAMS degree. He had been working as a Resident Medical Officer at Shastrinagar Hospital for the past five months.
Woman Doctor Left Traumatised
Gynaecologist Dr. Srushti Baviskar, who was also allegedly assaulted during the incident, said she has been left mentally shaken.
Dr. Baviskar had joined the hospital just a month ago, making this her first job as a doctor. Her father, Mahendra Baviskar, condemned the attack and demanded strict action against those responsible.
"My daughter is deeply traumatised. While she was trying to calm the situation and contact senior officials, corporator Ramesh Mhatre allegedly hit her hand and abused her. She now fears she could be attacked again if she returns to the hospital and is unwilling to resume duty," he said.
Doctors Continue Strike
Following the incident, doctors and hospital staff launched an indefinite strike demanding justice and enhanced security. Routine surgeries at the hospital remain suspended.
Rohit Pawar Demands Action
NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) MLA Rohit Pawar visited the hospital and met with the protesting doctors.
He said, "Ramesh Mhatre has committed a non-bailable offence. His corporator's membership should also be cancelled."
What Happened?
According to Chief Medical Officer Dr. Sadiya Pinjari, doctors had examined a woman who was nine months pregnant and found that the umbilical cord was wrapped twice around the baby's neck. They immediately decided to perform a Lower Segment Caesarean Section (LSCS).
The newborn was expected to require admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). However, the hospital's NICU was full, and doctors were trying to arrange an alternative facility.
During this time, the patient's relatives contacted corporator Ramesh Mhatre. Mhatre allegedly arrived at the hospital with his associates, confronted the medical staff, and the argument escalated into a physical assault.
Hospital authorities alleged that a nurse, a woman doctor, and a visiting gynaecologist were also assaulted during the incident.
Following the attack, Dr. Pinjari demanded 24-hour police protection for the medical staff and stated that surgeries would not resume until adequate security is provided.
Four Arrested
Police have arrested four people in connection with the case, including Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre. The other accused have been identified as Akshay Karande, Ramesh Pawar, and Shailesh Nikam.
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