Tamil Nadu: Doctors Stage Protest After Molested Bid On Female Surgeon At Coimbatore Hospital

In response to the molestation incident, the house surgeons staged a sit-in protest in front of the Dean's office on Thursday, demanding improved safety measures for their female colleagues.

A miscreant allegedly attempted to molest a female house surgeon at the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) on Wednesday. The incident led to a protest by approximately 150 house surgeons, all of whom are practicing under the Compulsory Rotating Medical Internship in the district. The incident also raised serious concerns about the safety and security of female medical professionals on the hospital campus especially in the wake of Kolkata doctor death.

The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, around 9:30 pm, when the house surgeon was heading to the two-wheeler parking lot located between the administrative block and the centenary building, which houses her hostel. According to police reports, the woman managed to push down the assailant and escape, bringing the situation to the attention of the hospital authorities, according to a report on PTI.

Following the incident, the suspect was taken into custody by the police after hospital authorities promptly intervened. CMCH Dean Dr. Nirmala confirmed the sequence of events and reassured that the matter was immediately reported to the police, who swiftly detained the individual involved.

In response to the incident, the house surgeons staged a sit-in protest in front of the Dean's office on Thursday, demanding improved safety measures for their female colleagues. The protest underscored the growing unease among the medical interns, especially in light of the recent tragic incident in Kolkata, where a trainee doctor was raped and murdered at R.G. Kar Medical Hospital.

Addressing the media, Dr. Nirmala emphasised that the hospital administration is taking all necessary steps to enhance campus security. "We have raised the issue of inadequate lighting with the Public Works Department and have already closed the rear gate to prevent unauthorized entry," she said, as per the report.

The police have registered cases against the suspect under Section 74 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 4 of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women Act.