The protest was part of a wider show of support by the medical fraternity following the alleged assault on doctors at the KDMC-run Shastrinagar Hospital, where a Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde faction) corporator and his associates were accused of attacking doctors and hospital staff.
Speaking during the protest, senior Surgical Oncologist Dr Shekhar Salkar said elected representatives who assault doctors while they are on duty should be disqualified from contesting elections and face stringent punishment.
"The message has to be very clear that nobody can take the law into their own hands. Justice in such cases must be quick. If action is delayed for years, the same cycle repeats. The Goa Medicare Act, 2013 provides good legal protection for doctors, but awareness and implementation need to improve. Prevention and proper security are equally important," he said.
Dr Salkar said doctors across Goa wore black ribbons to express solidarity with their colleagues in Maharashtra. He noted that while protests in Maharashtra had been withdrawn after the government accepted certain demands, the need for stronger protection and speedy justice remained.
He added that a memorandum had also been submitted to the Goa government, seeking effective implementation of safeguards for healthcare workers.
Senior Orthopedic surgeon Dr Dipchand Bhandare alleged that perpetrators of such attacks often escape meaningful punishment because of political patronage.
"Such people receive political protection. They may be arrested, and cases may be filed, but ultimately nothing happens to them. They continue doing what they do and even get elected again. Equally unfortunate is that people witnessing such incidents often remain silent instead of standing up for doctors," he said.
Gynaecologist Dr Sofia Rodrigues, who holds degrees in both medicine and law, said doctors remain one of the most vulnerable professional groups despite dedicating their lives to patient care.
"Doctors are too busy treating people to fight for their own rights. That has made us vulnerable. It is time for doctors to assert their rights through legal processes, RTIs, and other formal mechanisms. Caregivers and lifesavers should never be subjected to violence," she said.
The protest follows Monday's incident at Shastrinagar Hospital in Dombivli, where CCTV footage allegedly showed Shiv Sena corporator Ramesh Mhatre and several others assaulting doctors inside the hospital.
According to hospital authorities, the incident began after a woman underwent a caesarean section. The newborn required specialised neonatal care after doctors found the umbilical cord wrapped twice around the baby's neck. However, with the hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) full, doctors advised the family to shift the infant to another medical facility.
Doctors alleged that after they were unable to answer repeated phone calls from the corporator while attending to patients, Mhatre arrived at the hospital with supporters and allegedly assaulted gynaecologists Dr Vaibhav Salunkhe and Dr Srushti Baviskar. Dr Salunkhe reportedly sustained injuries.
Two nurses who attempted to intervene were also allegedly pushed and manhandled. Doctors further alleged that the corporator threatened hospital staff before leaving the premises.
The incident was reported to the Vishnunagar Police, leading to the registration of an FIR.
Police have arrested Ramesh Mhatre, a three-time Shiv Sena corporator, along with several others in connection with the alleged assault. The accused have been booked under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Maharashtra Medicare Service Persons and Medicare Service Institutions (Prevention of Violence and Damage or Loss to Property) Act, 2010.
Police had earlier arrested three of Mhatre's alleged associates for their role in the attack.
Following his arrest, the 72-year-old corporator was admitted to Thane Civil Hospital after reportedly complaining of chest pain and was kept under medical observation.
