THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dr Rahul Mathew, who was allegedly attacked by the relative of a Covid-19 patient at the Mavelikkara district hospital, has gone on leave protesting delay in arresting the assaulter.
He had earlier decided to resign from service but reconsidered that decision later.
According to the Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA), the accused who attacked Dr Mathew on May 14 is a police trainee.
His mother had died of Covid-19.
Meanwhile, the doctors across the state will boycott OP in all hospitals for an hour on Friday in protest.
The doctors will also boycott the specialty OPs and all elective surgeries.
However, the doctors, it is understood, will attend to Covid patients and emergency services.
In a social media post, Dr Mathew had said that by not taking action against the person who attacked him he had been betrayed by the party in which he had placed his trust.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” he said.
Earlier, he had declared that he was quitting service but reconsidered the decision upon requests from seniors and colleagues.
He has made it clear that he would go on leave in protest against the delay in arrest.
“It has been over 40 days since the incident happened and the police have not acted in the case yet,” said Dr T N Suresh, general secretary, KGMOA.
“Despite giving several representations to the government, there has been no attempt to arrest the people involved.” However, Health Minister Veena George has pledged her full support to Dr Rahul Mathew and said justice will be given to him soon.
“I have spoken to the director general of police and he has told me that steps are on to arrest the person who assaulted the doctor,’’ said the health minister.