Beaten doctor might lose vision

Mumbai: Dr Rohan Mahamunkar (35), a senior orthopaedic resident doctor who lost his vision in the left eye after being assaulted by a patient’s relatives at the Government Medical College (GMC) in Dhule on Sunday night, was admitted to Thane’s private Jupiter Hospital for further treatment and evaluations. The doctors attending to him are ascertaining if the damaged eye could be salvaged.

Dr Mahamumkar has suffered an orbital fracture and his left eye was allegedly permanently damaged in the attack. A senior medical officer working with Jupiter Hospital and familiar with the case said, “His eye bone is fractured, and he has a deep wound, which has ruptured his nerves. The blood clot is still there.” When asked if the damaged eye could be salvaged, the doctor said, “Vision is still difficult to get, it is doubtful now, but we are trying, we have given him antibiotic and painkillers to subside his pain.”

Meanwhile, members of Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors (MARD) across the state will observe ‘mass bunking’ on Friday to protest against the assault. Almost 1,700 doctors and paramedical staff will participate in the protest. While talking to The Asian Age, Maharashtra’s additional chief secretary (medical education) Rajgopal Deora said, “ I am constantly in touch and taking updates on the matter with the SP and collector of Dhule.”

Dr Mahamunkar, a native of Kandivali, had asked the family of the patient, who was brought in with a head injury, to take him to another centre as no neurosurgeon was present at the time. This infuriated the family. One of the nine people arrested in the case later committed suicide in the Dhule police station.

The MARD has decided to go on one-day mass bunk on Friday all over the state. Dr. Yashowardhan Kabra, President, MARD said, “ We condemn this coward act at Dhule. After considering security status of doctors in state, no strong action has been taken by government yet.”

“Along with this we have several issues like, all 45 cases of Doctor’s Protection Act-2010 is pending as it is, proper security measures in all government hospitals, implementation of pass system, and TB, maternity leave. We need these issues to be tackled soon,” added Dr. Kabra.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is taking the lead to protest strongly against the continuous assaults on doctors. Dr Sagar Mundada youth wing chairman of state IMA said, “ On Friday, IMA is holding a protest rally at Azad Maidan against this persistent injustice against our doctor community. It’s time to wake up.”