Doctor stabbed 7 times by patient's son; accused alleges poor treatment of mother

PTC News Desk: A young man attacked a Tamil Nadu government doctor seven times at a Chennai hospital on Wednesday morning. His mother was being treated for cancer by the same doctor. The young man had also been a patient attender at that hospital.

The doctor, an oncologist, is also a heart patient who had upper chest and head injuries. He is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), but his condition is stable, according to Health Minister Ma Subramanian.

A senior doctor stated that his colleague has a pacemaker and was cut on his forehead, back, behind his ear, and stomach. 

The man who attacked him has been apprehended; the attack took place in the OPD, or outpatient department, of Kalaignar Centenary Hospital in the city's Guindy area, when he thought the doctor had given incorrect medication to his mother, a cancer patient.

According to other sources, the accused, who is 26 years old, tried to flee after stabbing the doctor before being apprehended and given over to authorities.

According to the Health Minister, the attacker used a small knife hidden on his person while insisting there was no security breach. Chief Minister MK Stalin has ordered an investigation and promised medical assistance, as well as promises that such an incident will not occur again.

"Service of doctors is laudable... and it is our responsibility to ensure their safety."

In a long message on X, the Chief Minister stated, "The selfless work of our government doctors in providing treatment to patients regardless of the time is immeasurable. The government will take measures to prevent such incidents from happening in the future."

The Chennai incident refocuses emphasis on the safety of healthcare personnel at work, an issue that gained national attention following the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital.