A man has been arrested for assaulting a senior medical officer (SMO) at the ESI Hospital in Hoshiarpur. The accused, identified as Priya Ranjan, has been charged with attempted murder following the incident.
According to sources, Ranjan visited the hospital on Thursday to obtain his mother’s medical report. An altercation ensued between him and a hospital staff member, prompting Ranjan to approach senior officials and begin recording a video. This action angered the health staff, leading to a physical altercation during which SMO Dr. Sunil Bhagat was pushed to the ground. Dr. Bhagat lost consciousness and was immediately taken to a nearby private hospital. Due to his critical condition, he was later referred to Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana.
Following the incident, doctors at the hospital filed a complaint at Model Town police station, urging strict action against the accused.
In a show of solidarity with Dr. Bhagat, the entire health staff of the civil hospital in Hoshiarpur suspended outpatient department (OPD) services for three hours on Friday. They expressed concern over increasing incidents of misbehaviour towards health staff.
Model Town station house officer, Ram Singh, confirmed the arrest of the accused and st ated that an investigation is underway.