A Tamil Nadu government doctor was brutally attacked at a Chennai hospital on Wednesday morning by the son of a cancer patient. The incident took place at the Kalaignar Centenary Hospital in the Guindy area, where the doctor, an oncologist, had been treating the man’s mother for cancer. The attacker, a 26-year-old patient attendant at the hospital, allegedly stabbed the doctor after suspecting that his mother had been prescribed the wrong medication.

The assailant used a small knife to stab the doctor multiple times, hitting him in the upper chest, head, and stomach. Despite the severity of the attack, the doctor, who also has a history of heart disease and a pacemaker, was swiftly rushed to the ICU. Health Minister Ma Subramanian confirmed that while the doctor’s injuries were serious, including cuts to his forehead, back, and behind his ear, he is now in stable condition.

After the attack, the assailant tried to flee the scene but was quickly caught and handed over to the police. The Health Minister reassured the public that there were no lapses in hospital security during the incident.

Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered a thorough inquiry into the attack and pledged to provide medical support for the injured doctor. He also promised stronger measures to ensure the safety of healthcare workers, emphasizing the importance of protecting those who dedicate themselves to public service. “The invaluable service of government doctors must be safeguarded, and it is our duty to ensure their protection,” Stalin stated in his response to the attack.

This violent incident has once again brought the issue of healthcare worker safety into the national spotlight, especially in light of previous tragic events, including the horrific rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital. The attack in Chennai further underscores the urgent need for improved security and support for healthcare professionals across the country.