Ballari Hospital Attack: Karnataka Health Minister Condemns Attack On Female Doctor On COVID Duty

Ballari hospital attack: Karnataka's Health Minister, Dr Sudhakar K, on Monday, condemned the attack on a female doctor, who was on COVID-19 duty the previous day.

He said that this is a punishable offence, in which the perpetrators could be given a prison sentence of five years.

Attack on women employees who are on COVID duty is not acceptable. It's a punishable offence with up to 5 years imprisonment: Karnataka Health Minister on y'day's attack on a female doctor at hospital in Ballari by COVID patient's family, which blamed the doctor for his death

— ANI (@ANI) May 24, 2021

What is the Ballari hospital attack all about?

A female doctor was assaulted by the relative of a COVID-19 patient on Sunday at VIMS hospital. The attacker named Thippeswamy M was seen arguing with Dr Priyadarshini, inside the COVID-19 ward, before he allegedly assaulted her.

The entire incident was caught in the hospital's CCTV camera, and the footage went viral on social media. Many netizens demanded immediate action to be taken against the man who assaulted her. They also demanded better security for doctors, who are fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Cowl Bazar Police registered a case against the attacker. A police official said that the man's father was being treated at the hospital for a week, and he had passed away on Sunday morning. The official added that the doctor was doing her best to explain how the death occurred, but then the son attacked her.

“People should control their emotions. All the doctors and frontline medical staff are working hard to fight the pandemic and such attacks bring down their morale. A case has been registered with the police. We request relatives to reach higher authorities at hospitals, instead of taking the law into their hands," said District Health Officer Dr H L Janardhan while speaking to TNIE.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) condemned the Ballari hospital attack. Dr Srinivasa S, Chairman of, National IMA Standing Committee for Child Health stated that if such incidents continue, many young doctors might lose their courage to treat people who are sick.