Man faces trial over Vic doctor stabbing

A man accused of trying to stab his neurosurgeon to death at a hospital believed he was the victim of a conspiracy by a network of doctors, a court has heard.

Kareem Al-Salami, 49, is charged with attempting to murder Michael Wong in the foyer of Melbourne's Western General Hospital.

He allegedly knifed Dr Wong in the back as he arrived for work, then repeatedly stabbed and slashed at his unconscious body.

A witness to the February 2014 attack claims Al-Salami slashed at Dr Wong some 30 times, before hospital staff could rescue him for lifesaving surgery.

Dr Wong operated on Al-Salami's spine in 2012 and saw him for a series of follow-up consultations after Al-Salami's arrival in Australia as an asylum seeker in 2010.

Forensic doctor Clare-Ann McKeown told Melbourne Magistrates Court she found Al-Salami rocking back and forth and talking to himself when called to see him after his arrest.

She said he told her a network of seven doctors had set up a conspiracy to take his money and ensure he didn't seek other medical help.

"He spoke of seven individuals who were actively conspiring against him, to watch him and to make sure he wasn't seeing any other doctor," Dr McKeown said.

Al-Salami, of Sunshine North, has pleaded not guilty to 26 charges including attempting to murder Dr Wong, intentionally causing him serious injury, and assaulting other hospital staff.

Police allege a handyman at the hospital ran at Al-Salami with a parking sign to distract him, while patients and staff dragged Dr Wong's unconscious body to safety.

Al-Salami was granted a temporary protection visa upon his arrival at Christmas Island by boat as an undocumented asylum seeker in 2010.

He has been committed to stand trial in the Victorian Supreme Court.