A furious son attacked hospital staff over a lack of treatment for his sick mother.

Vighnesh, 25, allegedly stabbed oncologist Dr Balaji Jagannathan in the neck and head at Kalaignar Centenary Hospital in Chennai, India, on November 13.

Local reports said that the suspect, frustrated by his mother Prema's ongoing treatment for cancer, blamed the physician for her side effects, which had persisted from May to November.

An eyewitness said Vighnesh, accompanied by friends, pretended to be a patient. Once inside the doctor's consultation room, he launched the attack with a kitchen knife.

Medical staff quickly restrained the suspect, who was later handed over to the police.

The alleged victim sustained multiple injuries to his head, neck, and ear, and is currently in critical condition.

The incident sparked a doctors strike, halting all hospital services except for emergency care, in a demand for better protection and security for healthcare workers.