Cooper Hospital Doctors Resume Work, Demand Enhanced Safety Measures
Doctors at Mumbai's Cooper Hospital have ended their strike but continue to demand better safety measures after a recent assault. The incident has left medical staff in fear, despite increased security.
Cooper HospitalBmcSafety MeasuresMedical StaffSecurityReal Estate MumbaiNov 11, 2025
Recounting the ordeal, Dr Bhadke told mid-day that in all his years as a doctor, he has never faced something like this and wishes this is the last time any doctor has to go through such horror. “Around 12-12.15 am on Saturday, a 57-year-old woman, Sajeeda Shaikh, was brought in with severe breathlessness by her son Samir Abdul Jabbar Shaikh and a female relative. I was attending to other patients, but seeing her condition, I immediately began treating her while asking my interns to handle the rest. The patient was gasping, her temperature was very low, and there were no vitals. We started warming her hands and checking her pulse oximeter, but her oxygen levels and pulse were nearly gone. We shifted her to the emergency room within seconds,” Dr Bhadke said.
Despite immediate CPR and ECG checks by the team, the patient was declared dead. “As soon as the CMO [chief medical officer] informed the relatives, the male relative began shouting, threatening, and then suddenly attacking us,” Dr Bhadke said. “They hit me on my face, head, back, and abdomen. When my colleague, Dr Karan, tried to intervene, he was assaulted too. We were saved only because someone, perhaps an officer or another patient’s relative, stepped in.”
Speaking to mid-day, Dr Neelam Andrade, director of BMC Medical Hospitals, said, “We have increased security from five to eight personnel per shift. We’re also checking if permission was previously granted to deploy Maharashtra Security Force [MSF] personnel when the hospital became a major civic facility in 2022. If yes, MSF will be deployed immediately. If not, we’ve initiated a new application, a process that usually takes three months but will be fast-tracked. Staff will also receive training to handle emergencies, and all security guards will now have walkie-talkies for coordination.”
While doctors have resumed work, they say safety concerns remain. “We’re back on duty because our first responsibility is toward patients,” said one resident doctor. “But unless there is accountability and real legal protection, every doctor will continue to work in fear. Hospitals must be safe, for both patients and caregivers.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at Cooper Hospital on Saturday?
A 57-year-old woman was brought to the emergency room with severe breathlessness. Despite immediate medical attention, she was declared dead. Her relatives then attacked the doctors, causing physical harm to Dr Prashant Bhadke and Dr Karan.
What steps has the BMC taken to enhance security at Cooper Hospital?
The BMC has increased security personnel from five to eight per shift. They are also checking if permission can be granted to deploy the Maharashtra Security Force (MSF) and are fast-tracking the process if necessary. Staff will receive training to handle emergencies, and all security guards will have walkie-talkies for better coordination.
Why did the doctors go on strike?
The doctors went on strike to demand better safety measures and legal protection after the assault incident. They resumed work after receiving assurances from the BMC and hospital administration.
How are the doctors feeling after the incident?
Despite resuming work, the doctors are still in shock and fear. They are concerned about their safety and the safety of other medical staff, emphasizing the need for accountability and real legal protection.
What is the future plan for enhancing hospital safety?
The future plan includes increased security personnel, possible deployment of the Maharashtra Security Force, staff training for handling emergencies, and better communication through walkie-talkies. The BMC is also working on legal measures to protect medical staff.
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