Violence against healthcare workers is a threat to the entire healthcare system
A hospital is a place of hope. When illness, pain and uncertainty overwhelm us, we turn to doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers with the belief that they will help us heal. But what happens when those who spend their lives saving others begin to fear for their own safety?
Violence against healthcare workers has become an increasingly serious concern. Verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, physical assault and damage to hospital property are all forms of violence. An attack on a healthcare worker is not merely an attack on an individual—it is an attack on the healthcare system and the trust on which it is built.
Why does violence occur? There is rarely a single reason for violence in hospitals. Anxiety about a loved one's illness, unrealistic expectations regarding treatment, long waiting periods, overcrowding, shortage of staff, financial stress and poor communication can all contribute to frustration.
An unexpected deterioration or death can leave families devastated. In moments of grief, that pain can sometimes turn into anger directed at healthcare workers. Misinformation on social media and the belief that every disease has a cure and every treatment must guarantee a successful outcome can further fuel mistrust.
But one principle must remain clear: There may be reasons for frustration, but there can never be a justification for violence. Medicine has its limitations. Not every complication is negligence. Not every death is the result of medical error. Patients and families have every right to ask questions, seek explanations, lodge complaints and pursue legal remedies. But no one has the right to assault or threaten a healthcare worker.
Doctors have a role too: Good communication is one of the most powerful tools for preventing conflict. Patients and families need clear and understandable information about the illness, treatment options, possible risks, complications and expected outcomes. Listening to their concerns, acknowledging their anxiety and providing timely updates can build trust.
But compassion should never be mistaken for weakness. Let there be empathy—but zero tolerance for violence. Doctors and healthcare workers should be trained to recognise early warning signs of escalating aggression. When a situation becomes threatening, no healthcare worker should be expected to face it alone. The support of colleagues, hospital administration and security personnel should be sought promptly. Accurate documentation of clinical decisions, discussions and consent is equally important.
The responsibility of hospital administration: A safe hospital requires more than good medical care. It requires a safe working environment. Hospitals should have adequate security personnel, controlled access, CCTV surveillance, emergency communication systems and appropriate safety measures.
Efficient patient-flow systems, adequate staffing and timely communication can reduce unnecessary waiting and frustration. Families should receive regular information regarding the patient's condition, treatment plan and expected waiting time. Equally important is an effective and accessible grievance-redressal mechanism.
When violence occurs, the institution must stand firmly with its healthcare workers and provide appropriate medical, psychological and legal support. Protecting healthcare workers must be an institutional responsibility, not an individual's burden.
The public has an equally important role: Patients have the right to ask questions. Families have the right to seek clarification. But there is a fundamental difference between asking questions and threatening a doctor, between expressing dissatisfaction and resorting to violence.
If there is dissatisfaction with treatment, the appropriate response is dialogue. If there is a concern about negligence, it should be investigated. If there is a grievance, there should be a lawful mechanism to address it. Violence can never be a substitute for justice. Unverified allegations circulated on social media can further damage trust and escalate conflict.
Doctors, nurses and healthcare workers are members of our own communities. Today they may be caring for someone else's family; tomorrow, their expertise may be needed by ours.
Policymakers must ensure protection: Protecting healthcare workers requires not only strong laws but also effective implementation. There must be prompt reporting and investigation of incidents of violence, appropriate police response and timely legal action. Hospitals, particularly public healthcare institutions, need adequate infrastructure, staffing and security.
Healthcare workers should receive training in conflict management, workplace safety and de-escalation techniques. There should also be systematic reporting and monitoring of violence against healthcare workers so that policies can be based on evidence.
A law that exists only on paper cannot provide safety. What healthcare workers need is effective enforcement and institutional accountability.
August 9 – FOGSI Abhaya Day
(FOGSI Federation of obstetrics and gynecology socities of India)
August 9 carries a special significance for the medical community.
On August 9, 2024, a postgraduate trainee doctor was sexually assaulted and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The horrific incident shocked the nation and brought renewed attention to the safety of doctors and healthcare workers, particularly women working in healthcare.
The incident triggered widespread protests and the “Abhaya” movement, highlighting the urgent need for safe workplaces and dignity for healthcare professionals.
Against this background, FOGSI observes August 9 as Abhaya Day, keeping alive the call for safety, dignity and fear-free working environments for healthcare workers.
Abhaya means freedom from fear.
A doctor working a night shift deserves Abhaya.
A resident responding to an emergency deserves Abhaya.
A nurse caring for a critically ill patient deserves Abhaya.
Every healthcare worker deserves to return home safely after a day's work.
But Abhaya does not mean ignoring the rights or concerns of patients and families.
A truly safe hospital must be a place where both patients and healthcare workers feel safe.
From violence to dialogue
The answer to dissatisfaction is communication.
The answer to an unexpected outcome is facts, transparency and appropriate investigation.
The answer to a grievance is a fair grievance-redressal mechanism.
The answer to violence is prevention, protection and the rule of law.
If a healthcare worker is negligent, the law must take its course.
But before guilt is established, no healthcare worker should be condemned, threatened or assaulted.
Abhaya must be more than a day
August 9 may be observed as Abhaya Day, but the safety of healthcare workers cannot be a one-day commitment. It must be a commitment for 365 days of the year. Doctors must strive for compassionate and transparent communication. Hospital administrations must create safe and supportive workplaces. The public must understand the possibilities and limitations of modern medicine.
Policymakers must ensure strong laws, adequate infrastructure and effective enforcement. Only when all of us work together can hospitals truly become places of Abhaya—places without fear. Protect the hands that heal. They are the hands that protect our lives.
Give doctors Abhaya. Give healthcare workers dignity. Give our healthcare system safety. Because those who dedicate their lives to saving others deserve to live and work without fear.
Dr Rajalakshmi
President Manipal OBG society, Secretary, Public Awareness and prevention of violence against women committee KSOGA , Core member No to Violence against women committee FOGSI
