‘Sağlık-Sen’ Trade Union of Public Employees in Health and Social Services, affiliated to the ‘Memur-Sen’ Confederation, shared the January data of the "Violence in Health Report", which it prepares and shares with the public every month.
In the shared report, it was noted that the violence against healthcare workers continued unceasingly in January as well. In the report, which stated that violence in health was fueled by daily reactions and the lack of deterrence of penal sanctions, the following information shared:
“During January, 57 healthcare workers were victimized in 30 incidents of violence caused by 68 attackers. While 5 of the 30 acts of violence were perpetrated by the patients, 19 were caused by the relatives of the patients, 1 by the manager, and 5 by ignorant people. Of the 30 violence cases, 25 occurred both verbally and actual, and 5 occurred verbally (insult, threat, etc.). Hospitals were the places where violence occurred the most. 20 of the 30 violence incidents occurred in hospitals, 5 incidents occurred in family health centers and 5 incidents occurred during field studies. In cases of violence, 17 nurses, 16 doctors, 12 emergency health services workers, 2 security and 10 other health workers were victims.”
PENALTY SANCTIONS AGAINST VIOLENCE ARE INSUFFICIENT
Criticizing the inadequacy of penal sanctions against the perpetrators of violence, the report said, "No action was taken against 25 of the 68 attackers who caused violence throughout January. While 11 attackers who were taken into custody were released, an investigation was launched against 14 attackers. While 1 public servant was suspended, 17 attackers were arrested. Some court decisions that released the attackers cause reactions, increase the concern for life safety among healthcare workers, and undermine their trust in justice.”
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN MUST BE IMPLEMENTED
Making an evaluation about the report they shared, ‘Sağlık-Sen’ Chairman Semih Durmuş stated that an urgent action plan is needed to prevent violence. Durmuş said, “Healthcare workers who spent their lives in the shadow of the vilonce could not get rid of the nightmare of violence in the first month of the new year. While the extent of violence in health is increasing day by day, the number of healthcare workers who are victims of violence is still high, and it is not acceptable that adequate precautions are still not taken. Healthcare workers who sacrifice themselves to save lives do not deserve this attitude.”