Father serious, son in a fit of rage assaults doctor and nurse in ICU

BENGALURU: Some unruly scenes were witnessed in the ICU of a private hospital when a doctor and a nurse were allegedly assaulted by a patient’s family. The patient’s son, who allegedly threw a mobile phone at the doctor, has been arrested.

The patient, a middle-aged man, was being treated for severe pneumonia and doctors were explaining to his wife and son why his condition appeared to be deteriorating. The patient was Covid positive and later tested negative, but his condition was worsening with severe infection in the lungs. The patient’s son, Jagadish Kumar, suddenly lost his temper and flung his phone.

The hospital later filed a complaint saying the life of healthcare workers was at risk.

Police arrested 26-year-old Jagadish, a resident of Devarachikkanahalli off Bannerghatta Road. Police said he has been charged under section 323 of IPC for voluntarily causing hurt and released on bail. Kumar told police that he was frustrated about his father’s failing health and threw the phone in a fit of rage. A complaint has been registered under the state’s law to prohibit violence against medicare service personnel.

“All this happened inside the hospital ICU where there are no security personnel. The doctor was only explaining the complications of Covid. Though the man had tested negative for Covid, he suffered from acute pneumonia and his condition was not improving. Doctors are doing their best to treat him,” a hospital source said.

There was no clarity on whether the patient was moved out of the hospital. Authorities at the hospital refused comment.