Experts like Sulphi Noohu and Muralee Thummaruudy had sounded warnings about how insecure the lives of health workers are. But unfortunately, they were just brushed off.
"One person could be killed soon..
It could be me.
No, it's not me!
It could be anyone!"
Like a premonition, this was a Facebook post by Sulphi Noohu on March 13, 2023. It had a strong message on the serious security issues faced by health workers in the State. That day the post was noticed by around 200 people and so did not go viral. Had it been otherwise and prompt followup was done, the young doctor Vandana Das would have probably not lost her life.
Dr Sulphi had asserted then that very soon a health worker would lose his/her life. It was no prophecy, but an expression of the stark reality, a reflection of the hard social conditions.
It was not just Dr Sulphi. UN disaster crisis management expert Dr Muralee Thumarukudy had some time back in a similar post said that a tragedy of a boat capsize was in the air. Incidentally, that post had also mentioned about the insecure conditions of health workers.
His April 1 post which went viral had said, "Every month, five health professionals are subjected to attacks from patients or their relatives. Fortunately, none has lost his/her life." But he warned that the situation could scale up and there could be fatalities.
Those now accusing doctors of 'seeking a thrashing' because of their ways, will reverse their stance. "Public will protest, media will debate, ministers will roll out statements, courts will interfere, there will be new laws. For a short span at least, there will be a lull in cases of violence against health workers," he had said.
Relevant portions from Dr Sulphi's post
One health worker in Kerala will get killed.
It won't be long for that to happen..
That's how it's with attacks in hospitals. If it doesn't happen immediately, it's a mere miracle.
Often, it's by sheer chance that a health worker eludes death.
One can't say when luck will turn elusive.
On an average, hospital attacks happen once a week.
It's not possible for a patient to get proper treatment when death is at the doorstep of health workers.
Desperate to save their own lives, doctors and health workers are forced to slip into defence mechanism which is equally dangerous.
The Government decision to amend hospital protection laws is welcome.
Perhaps, this is more relevant than the Kerala Public Health Bill.
Hospitals should be declared as safe zones.
The directions of the High Court in this regard should be followed strictly.
Yes, saving one's one life is primary.
