Vadodara Doctor Assault: Resident Doctors Go on Strike at Sayaji Hospital
Tensions escalated in Vadodara after resident doctors at Sayaji Hospital launched an indefinite strike on April 30, protesting an alleged assault on a doctor inside the postmortem room a day earlier.
The incident occurred on April 29 when a decomposed body stored in the hospital’s cold storage triggered outrage among family members. Accusing hospital staff of negligence and misconduct, the situation quickly turned chaotic, with reports of doctors being physically attacked.
Following the incident, resident doctors withdrew from regular duties, severely impacting hospital operations. While emergency services and OPD remain functional, postmortem procedures have been halted, with bodies being shifted to Gotri Hospital. Medical services are currently being managed by professors and senior staff.
Doctors have raised serious concerns over safety, demanding permanent security arrangements, installation of CCTV cameras, and improved lighting across the hospital campus. They have also filed a formal police complaint seeking strict action against those involved in the assault.
In response, district authorities, including the Collector and Joint Police Commissioner, rushed to the hospital to mediate. A high-level meeting involving hospital officials and doctors is underway to resolve the deadlock.
Hospital Superintendent Dr. Ranjan Aiyer stated that the government has taken the matter seriously and assured that necessary steps will be taken to strengthen security measures. Meanwhile, police have arrested some of the accused in connection with the attack.
Authorities are urging doctors to call off the strike to ensure that patients, especially the poor and needy, do not suffer. However, doctors have maintained that their safety concerns must be addressed before resuming full services.
