Oncologist stabbed in Chennai by son of a cancer patient

A doctor specialising in oncology at the Kalaignar Centenary Super Speciality Hospital was stabbed at least seven times on Wednesday by the son of a patient, allegedly due to grievances about his mother's treatment, a hospital official said.

The attack occurred inside the outpatient room during a discussion about the patient's care. Hospital staff quickly apprehended the 26-year-old assailant and handed him over to the police, who arrested him. The injured doctor is receiving treatment and is in stable condition, the official added.

The incident sparked outrage among hospital staff, with doctors and nurses staging a protest at the hospital's entrance. "We are not safe while performing our duties," said one of the protesting doctors.

In response, government doctors announced a strike, prompting Health Minister Ma Subramanian to schedule talks. The assailant was identified as Vignesh, a resident of a suburban area, and his mother, Kanchana, was undergoing treatment at the hospital.