Indian Police detain a man accused of attacking a Kerala doctor with a machete after blaming him for his nine-year-old daughter’s fatal brain infection.
A medical doctor in the southern Indian state of Kerala was attacked by the father of a nine-year-old girl who died from a rare brain infection, local authorities said on Wednesday. The incident has triggered shock and concern among medical professionals across the region.
Police identified the assailant as Sanoop, who allegedly used a machete to assault Dr. Vipin P.T. at the Thamarassery Taluk Hospital in Kozhikode district. Officers said the attack occurred inside the hospital premises, where the doctor was on duty.
The girl, Sanoop’s daughter, had died in August after contracting amoebic meningoencephalitis, a highly fatal brain infection caused by a free-living amoeba commonly found in contaminated water. Health officials confirmed that the infection, often referred to as a “brain-eating amoeba,” is extremely rare but difficult to treat, with very few recorded survivors worldwide.
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According to police, Sanoop blamed the doctor for his daughter’s death, claiming negligence in her treatment. Hospital staff intervened quickly to secure the building and called the authorities. The Thamarassery Police responded within minutes and detained the suspect.
“The accused has been taken into custody, and a formal case will be registered,” a police spokesperson told reporters. “An investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances leading to the attack.”
Dr. Vipin was reportedly left shaken but did not sustain life-threatening injuries. He received immediate medical attention at the same facility.
Medical associations in Kerala have condemned the assault, calling it another example of rising violence against healthcare workers in India. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) urged state authorities to ensure stronger protection for doctors and hospital staff.
“Doctors are already under immense pressure, especially when handling complex or rare infections,” an IMA representative said. “Violence against medical personnel cannot be tolerated under any circumstance.”
Amoebic meningoencephalitis, caused by Naegleria fowleri, enters the body through the nose and travels to the brain, leading to severe inflammation and rapid organ failure. The disease has been reported in several countries, including the United States, Pakistan, and Australia, often linked to swimming in warm freshwater bodies.
Kerala health officials have advised residents to avoid bathing in stagnant or untreated water sources as a precaution. The state government said it would review hospital security measures following the attack.
Africa Daily News, New York
