That a medical university like RGUHS, Bengaluru now finds it necessary to teach doctors self-defence is as revealing as it is unsettling.
It reveals the reality we can no longer ignore: Hospitals, meant to be spaces of healing, are increasingly becoming sites of tension and violence. Doctors, already burdened with the immense responsibility of saving lives, now face the additional fear of personal harm.
And it unsettles because: The doctor–patient relationship, once built on trust and respect, now shows fractures deep enough to require martial skills in medical training. A profession rooted in compassion must now prepare for confrontation.
As a pediatric surgeon, I see value in this initiative — self-defence training can empower, instil confidence, and perhaps save lives in the most extreme scenarios. But it should never become the only answer.
Real safety for healthcare professionals lies in: Stronger laws against violence in hospitals. Security systems that prevent escalation before it happens. Open, empathetic communication between doctors and patients’ families. A societal shift that restores respect for the healer’s role.
Doctors should not have to fight in order to heal. If self-defence has entered our curriculum, let it not just train our bodies — but also awaken our collective conscience to protect the soul of healthcare.
