Handwara: In a shocking incident at the Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara, a surgeon on duty in the outpatient department (OPD) was allegedly verbally abused and physically assaulted by a patient.A video circulating on social media shows a patient confronting the doctor, claiming he had been waiting for half an hour. He alleged that the doctor had slapped him and criticised the doctor for discussing his personal life during consultation hours.Also Read:Rajkot Neurosurgeon assault: Accused arrested, security assured after protests as doctors demand zero-tolerance to violenceHowever, the doctor involved has refuted allegations of misconduct and provided a detailed account of the events. He explained that he was treating a patient who presented two ultrasound reports—one suggesting acute appendicitis and another showing normal findings. The reports were issued by two different professionals, a sonologist and a radiologist. The patient was advised to rely on the radiologist’s report, and a clinical examination was conducted to decide further management.“There were five to six doctors present in the OPD at the time. The consultation lasted barely five to six minutes,” the doctor added.The situation reportedly escalated when another patient waiting, claiming to have waited for half an hour, began recording and livestreaming the consultation on social media. After being asked to stop recording and leave, the OPD and hospital authorities informed the police. Before their arrival, the patient allegedly returned with one or two others, forced their way into the OPD, broke down the door, and assaulted the medical staff. During the attack, the doctor sustained a finger fracture. CCTV cameras installed outside the OPD reportedly captured portions of the incident. The attack has sparked outrage among the medical community. A doctor, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), strongly condemned the assault, saying, “We strongly condemn this. An attack on a doctor is an attack on the healthcare system itself. This dangerous trend must stop.”The Jammu and Kashmir Medical Students’ Association also condemned the assault in a recent social media post, stating that violence against healthcare professionals is unacceptable and hampers the delivery of essential services. The association called for strict disciplinary and legal action against those responsible.In addition, the Democratic Medical Association (DMA India) condemned the assault and, in a social media post, urged authorities to intervene immediately. The association called for swift action and tagged relevant law enforcement agencies.Also Read:Rising Violence Against Doctors: Delhi reports 149 attacks in last 5 years