Baragada: A shocking incident involving the assault of a doctor at the Baragada Community Health Centre (CHC) in Odisha occurred late Sunday night, raising significant alarm and concerns about the safety of medical personnel in the area. Dr. Sudipta Rout suffered serious head injuries after he was reportedly attacked with a wooden stool during a minor medical disagreement.

The assailant, identified as Vicky Singh, resides in Ward No. 14 of Baragada town and has been taken into custody by police for interrogation. He is the son of BJP leader Pritam Singh and is said to have close ties with Baragada MP Pradeep Purohit.

Describing the harrowing experience, Dr. Rout recounted how a routine examination escalated into violence. ‘Around 2 am, a man brought in a young child experiencing severe chest pain. I assessed the child, recommended the necessary treatment, and advised them to go to the ward for a nursing staff injection. I even dispatched security personnel with them to help,’ he stated.

However, the situation took a turn when the man returned to Dr. Rout’s office demanding to have his blood pressure checked. The doctor asked him to wait for about 10 minutes, explaining the need for the patient to sit quietly for an accurate reading. ‘He became aggressive, picked up the stool he was sitting on, and struck me on the head. I also suffered injuries to my hands,’ Dr. Rout added.

The incident was recorded by the hospital’s CCTV system.

Police from Baragada arrived promptly at the CHC following the assault to secure the area. A case has been filed against Singh, and the retrieved CCTV footage is under review. Authorities are also testing to see if Singh was intoxicated or under the influence of other substances at the time of the attack.

This violent act has sparked condemnation from the local healthcare community, with medical professionals expressing their ongoing sense of vulnerability due to the frequent threats and violence that impede their ability to work safely.

In light of the attack, members of the local medical association plan to meet with the Superintendent of Police to formally present a memorandum demanding enhanced safety measures for healthcare workers. The staff at CHC are advocating for strict legal repercussions for the attacker, as well as long-term protective strategies, including the establishment of a permanent police presence on hospital grounds.