KALYAN: “My daughter wakes up from sleep fearing someone is attacking her. The assault has left both doctors mentally traumatised,” said Dr Mahendra Baviskar, father of Dr Srushti Baviskar, while speaking about the aftermath of the attack on two doctors at KDMC’s Shastri Nagar Hospital in Dombivli.Three days after incident describing the incident to media as “highly condemnable” and a “cowardly attack”, Dr Baviskar said the psychological scars of the assault continue to haunt both doctors. “They suddenly wake up in fear, believing someone is coming to assault them again. Despite the trauma, neither of the two doctors has resigned from service,” he said.The assault on the doctors by supporters of Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre had sparked outrage across Maharashtra, prompting doctors to suspend all non-emergency services at KDMC-run hospitals, including Shastri Nagar, Rukminibai, Harkishandas, Shaktidham and Vasant Valley maternity hospitals, while emergency services remained operational. The Vishnu Nagar police later registered a case against corporator Ramesh Mhatre and others under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2010.Referring to Mhatre’s arrest, Dr Baviskar thanked Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and said the family had expected the law to take its course.“We knew Ramesh Mhatre would be arrested. We are thankful to the Chief Minister for ensuring action was taken,” he said.Dr Baviskar urged the Maharashtra government to strengthen security at all government hospitals, saying doctors should never have to fear violence while treating patients.“Doctors must be able to provide medical care in a safe environment. The government should take strict and concrete steps to ensure the safety of healthcare workers. KDMC hospitals should also have robust security so that such incidents are never repeated,” he said.He also thanked Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray, NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar and several other political leaders for extending support to the injured doctors and their families after the incident.
