Doctors' bodies condemn assault on staff nurse in Tseminyu

• DIMAPUR — The Nagaland In-Service Doctors’ Association (NIDA) and the Rengma Doctors’ Forum (RDF) have condemned the alleged “brutal assault” on an on-duty staff nurse at CHC Tseminyu on the night of April 18 by one Njilo Tep of Tseminyu village.
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• In a press release, the NIDA pointed out that obstructing a government employee from executing their duty is an offence under Section 186 and Section 353 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
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• The association also maintained that under IPC 320, physical assault on the head which endangers life is considered a “grievous injury.”

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• “The crime of assaulting a healthcare worker on duty is a punishable offence in The Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Act 2020, underscoring the gravity of the offence.
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• “The offence is cognisable and non-bailable. The rising incidence of violence against healthcare workers is a growing concern and merits zero tolerance,” the association said.
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• Extending solidarity to the nursing fraternity, the NIDA urged the adjudicating authority of the incident to ensure that the crime is not condoned but award exemplary punishment to the culprit as per the provision of law.
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• In a separate release, the Rengma Doctors’ Forum (RDF) condemned the “heinous assault” on Opangkokla, staff nurse of CHC Tseminyu, by Njilo Tep, a patient attendant. According to the forum, the accused assaulted the on-duty nurse in a “drunken state” while she was performing her professional duties.
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• “This incident is not only a blatant act of violence against a frontline health worker but also a direct attack on the dignity and sanctity of the healthcare profession. Such unacceptable behaviour creates an environment of fear, demoralisation, and insecurity among the health staff, especially those serving under challenging circumstances,” the forum said.
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• The forum urged the district administration and police authorities to take immediate and exemplary legal action against the accused so that “justice is served and a strong message is sent to deter such acts in the future.”
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• “We also request that security measures be reviewed and strengthened at all healthcare institutions in the district to ensure the safety of medical and paramedical staff, particularly during night duty.”
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• TNAI Nagaland expresses outrage
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• The Trained Nurses’ Association of India (TNAI), Nagaland Branch, has expressed shock and outrage over the incident.
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• In a condemnation note, the TNAI Nagaland reminded that any unprovoked assault on a government servant while performing official duties is a serious criminal offence.
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• While urging the authorities to take swift and stringent action against the perpetrator, the association insisted that the law must take its full course, not only to deliver justice to the victim but also to send a clear message that violence against healthcare workers will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
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• “We also urge that the nurse who was assaulted be transferred to a facility of her choice, as she no longer feels safe at her current place of duty. Her physical and emotional well-being must be given the highest priority. No nurse should ever have to work under threat, fear, or duress,” the TNAI said.
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• “This incident once again highlights the urgent need for a safe and secure working environment for female healthcare workers. We call upon the relevant authorities to implement concrete measures, both immediate and long-term, to ensure the safety and dignity of all healthcare personnel, particularly women, who remain especially vulnerable in such settings.”