Mohali: Doctor struck near police station; Hospital OPD suspended in stir after police inaction

Early on Friday morning, around 7:15 am, Dr Jot Noor, an anaesthesia specialist at the civil hospital in Mohali, was assaulted by two unidentified men while walking toward the hospital from a nearby police station. The attack occurred on a routine commute, and the assailants approached him close to the police station before striking him.

The incident sparked a protest among hospital staff, who responded by suspending outpatient department services in a show of solidarity and to press for quicker police action. Hospital officials said the decision to halt OPD services was taken after the staff expressed frustration over the lack of prompt police response. The civil hospital, which serves a large local population, remained without outpatient facilities for the day.

Local police have not released a detailed statement regarding the attack, but a senior officer confirmed that the case has been registered and that investigations are underway. The lack of an immediate public comment from law enforcement has added to the tension between the hospital community and the police administration.

The episode underscores growing concerns about the safety of medical professionals in the region. While the civil hospital is a key public health facility for the Mohali district, the OPD suspension highlighted the impact of the incident on routine medical services. Residents who rely on the hospital for daily consultations faced inconvenience, though the exact scale of the disruption was not quantified.

Dr Noor was reportedly on his way to work when the assailants, described only as two men, approached him near the police station and struck him. He sustained injuries that required medical attention, though the exact nature of the injuries has not been disclosed. The hospital confirmed that he was treated and later discharged, but the incident has left a palpable sense of unease among his colleagues.

Mohali, part of the Chandigarh capital region, has seen increasing reports of violent incidents involving public servants in recent months. The attack on Dr Noor comes amid heightened awareness of safety concerns for healthcare workers, a topic that has attracted attention from health authorities and civic groups. While no official statistics on such attacks are provided, the frequency of similar reports suggests a broader pattern that warrants attention.

The civil hospital administration, in coordination with the hospital staff, has called for a thorough investigation and for the police to expedite their inquiry. A meeting was convened later that week, bringing together senior hospital officials, representatives of the medical fraternity, and local law enforcement to discuss safety measures and the continuation of essential services.

In the wake of the incident, the hospital has announced temporary arrangements to ensure that emergency cases can still be handled despite the OPD suspension. Patients requiring urgent care are being directed to the emergency wing, which remains operational. The administration has also appealed for calm, urging the public to avoid speculation and to support the ongoing investigation.

Overall, the attack on Dr Jot Noor and the subsequent hospital protest reflect a moment of tension between the community’s need for accessible health services and the demand for safer working conditions for medical personnel. The situation remains under review, with both the hospital and police promising to address the concerns raised by the staff and the wider public.

Source: Hindustan Times