A protest threat of junior doctors of Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) is looming over the health hub barely a month-and-a-half after a 12-day strike paralysed healthcare at the institute.

The doctors were offended after two of their colleagues, including a postgraduate medico, were thrashed by attendants of a patient who was admitted in the surgical emergency department on Saturday.

After the incident, around 500 junior doctors boycotted work and emergency services at the hospital were severely affected till Sunday morning. The PMCH Junior Doctors’ Association (JDA) members decided to report to work later, but they have called a meeting on Monday, after which the postgraduate medicos could proceed on strike.

Sources said around 25 attendants accompanying the patient, who fell unconscious after consuming poison, attacked two doctors on duty accusing them of negligence when the patient’s condition worsened. One of the physicians, Dr N.P. Narayan, is a senior doctor in the emergency department. The JDA members said the incident has once again highlighted how vulnerable doctors were at the hospital and also brought to the fore the lacklustre security arrangement on the PMCH premises.

“We have been demanding enhanced security arrangement at the hospital but nobody is listening to us. How long will the doctors bear the brunt? How can security personnel allow 25 attendants with a patient? There is complete lawlessness on the PMCH campus,” said JDA president Rakesh Kumar.

PMCH principal N.P. Yadav said: “Saturday night’s incident is unfortunate. It is shocking that cops stationed here remained mute spectators when some attendants attacked the doctors. However, I appeal to the doctors not to lose patience and co-operate with the hospital administration. We are in the process of doing the needful. The need of security upgrade at PMCH will be definitely fulfilled,” said Yadav.