'My Son Thought...': Chennai Patient Defends Accused Son In Doctor Stabbing Incident

Dr. Balaji, the victim, is currently undergoing treatment for severe injuries. The incident has sparked political outrage, and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin ordered a detailed investigation into this case.

A doctor at Kalaignar Hospital in Chennai was stabbed by Vignesh, son of a former patient who alleged negligence.

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A day after a doctor at Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital in Chennai, Tamilnadu was stabbed multiple times by a former patient’s son, the accused’s mother defended her son, claiming the attack was due to the inadequate medical care she received. The woman, a cancer patient, alleged that her son Vignesh was driven to violence by the doctor’s negligence.

Dr. Balaji, the victim, is currently undergoing treatment for severe injuries. The incident has sparked political outrage, and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin ordered a detailed investigation into this case.

According to a report by India Today, the accused, Vignesh, reportedly assaulted Dr. Balaji out of frustration, believing the doctor had failed to provide proper care for his mother during her previous treatment.

"Dr. Balaji didn't even look at me during the consultation," she claimed, adding, "My son has too much love for me. He is also a heart patient and suffers from epilepsy. He acted because he thought I wasn't being treated properly."

She further claimed that she was misinformed about her diagnosis, and was told that she had Stage 2 cancer rather than the Stage 5 cancer diagnosis that reportedly circulating in the hospital.

Financial difficulties, she added, prevented her from completing her full treatment at the Adyar Cancer Institute, "Dr. Balaji said I didn't need another chemotherapy session and simply walked away. Was I his enemy?" she remarked, expressing lingering resentment.

Urgent Need To Safeguard Healthcare Workers

The incident occurred on Wednesday. CCTV footage shows Vignesh walking through the hospital calmly after the attack, concealing the knife, wiping it clean, and then discarding it before being arrested. Later, Vignesh was caught and apprehended sending him to judicial custody for 15 days on Wednesday evening. 

After the attack, Dr. Ezhilan, MLA of Thousand Lights constituency and a physician, met with the doctors' association and Chief Minister Stalin, stressing the urgent need to safeguard healthcare workers.

Dr. Ezhilan pointed out the complexities of medical treatment, especially in emergency scenarios, citing that life-saving interventions like anti-venom injections can sometimes cause allergic reactions. He warned against sensationalising medical incidents, as it might lead doctors to adopt "defensive practice".

"I urge the people of Tamil Nadu to approach medical incidents with practical understanding, as this will benefit both patients and healthcare providers. Sensationalising these cases could make doctors hesitant to make life-saving decisions in high-risk cases," he said.