Patna: As the country celebrates National Doctors’ Day on July 1, doctors in Bihar have raised concerns over growing violence and abuse against medical professionals in both govt and private healthcare facilities.Doctors said incidents of verbal abuse, threats and physical assaults are frequent but often go unreported. They added that the lack of state-specific data makes it difficult to assess the scale of the problem, particularly in emergency wards, district hospitals and other high-pressure settings.Indian Medical Association (IMA) national action committee member Dr Ajay Kumar said pan-India estimates suggest a majority of doctors face abuse during their careers. “This includes physical and verbal abuse,” he said. Referring to Bihar, he added, “Though there is no such data, but I am sure not a single day passes when a doctor somewhere in the state does not face any kind of abuse.”Dr Ajay recalled the killing of Dr Bhudoe Singh in Gopalganj, allegedly by jail inmates, saying it had deeply shaken the medical fraternity. “This brutal incident led to the protection act. But still not a single chargesheet has been done in case of assaults on doctors.”He also referred to another case in which a civil surgeon was stabbed with a sharp-edged weapon after some people entered his residence following a snakebite death, highlighting the vulnerability of doctors even outside hospitals.Chairperson of the in-service doctors’ wing Dr Ashok Kumar said verbal abuse had become routine. “There would hardly be any doctor who has not faced some form of abuse during service,” he said, adding many remain silent to preserve their dignity and avoid confrontation.Dr Ashok said doctors are often blamed for deaths or complications despite patients arriving late, inadequate medical history, shortage of resources or their critical condition at admission.Doctors also observed that younger medical professionals are increasingly unwilling to silently endure abuse, warning this could further strain doctor-patient relations unless security and grievance redressal systems improve.Doctors said their demand on National Doctors’ Day was not merely symbolic appreciation but a safer workplace, prompt action in assault cases and greater public awareness. They said all they expected from the public was respect and dignity.
