Kozhikode (Kerala) | A government doctor was seriously injured after being attacked with a machete by a man whose daughter died of amoebic meningitis recently, police said.

The incident happened at the taluk hospital in Thamarassery in this district on Wednesday, police said.

The doctor, identified as Vipin, was struck on the head and was later hospitalised at the Baby Memorial Hospital here.

His health condition is stable now, the officer said.

The assailant -- 40-year-old Sunup -- was taken into custody following the afternoon incident, but his arrest has not yet been formally recorded, an officer of Thamarassery police station said in the evening.

A case under sections 333(house-trespass after preparation for hurt, assault or wrongful restraint), 118(2)(voluntarily causing hurt or grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) and 109(1)(attempt to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita has been lodged against him and his statement was being recorded, the officer said.

Sunup was also booked under various provisions of the amended Kerala Healthcare Service Persons and Healthcare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act.

The Act was amended in 2023, following the brutal murder of Dr Vandana Das while on duty at the Kottarakkara taluk hospital on May 10 that year, for better protection of doctors, healthcare workers and medical students by imposing harsher punishments and penalties.

The officer said that according to the accused, his initial target was the Medical Superintendent of the taluk hospital.

Later, while being taken away by the police, the accused told media that he was "dedicating the attack to state Health Minister Veena George, the Health Department and the Medical Superintendent of the taluk hospital".

State Health Minister Veena George termed the attack on the doctor as "shocking and condemnable" and assured strong legal action against the accused.

Protesting against the assault on the doctor, the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) said that government doctors across the state will observe protest day on Thursday.

It said, in a statement, that the incident indicates the lack of safety and security lapses in government hospitals in Kerala.

KGMOA said it was unfortunate that the government was failing to ensure safe workplaces for healthcare professionals.

It demanded an immediate intervention by the government to ensure the safety of healthcare workers in state-run hospitals by declaring them as high-security zones, establishing police outposts at all major hospitals, and appointing armed ex-servicemen for security.