Sağlık-Sen Union has announced the August Health Violence Report. According to the report, it was stated that there was a partial decrease in violence cases in August compared to the previous month, while 18 cases of violence took place in August. 29 health workers were victims of the 28 attackers. In the report, it was pointed out that although the 'Violence in Health Law', which came into force 4 months ago, was an important step, the effectiveness of the law decreased after the judicial authorities released the aggressors. Violence continues to roam the hospital corridors. With its monthly ‘Violence in Health Report’ published every month, Sağlık-Sen Union, which reveals the extent of violence, shared the figures for August with the public. In the report, 29 health workers, including 10 nurses, 9 doctors, 6 emergency medical technicians and 4 security guards, were victimized in 18 cases of violence caused by 28 attackers throughout August.
“RELEASE DECISIONS FOR ATTACKERS DAMAGE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LAW”
In the report, which also provided information about the judicial proceedings applied against cases of violence, the following statements were made: “No action was taken against 6 of the 28 attackers who caused violence. The 18 attackers who were taken into custody were released. While an investigation was started against 1 attacker, 3 attackers were arrested. An important step was taken with the Law on Violence in Health, which was published in the Official Gazette 4 months ago. But the decisions taken by the judicial authorities to release the aggressors undermine the expected effectiveness of the law. At the same time, it undermines the sense of 'trust' of health workers.”
“VIOLENCE IN HEALTH MUST END NOW”
Making an assessment of the report they prepared, Sağlık-Sen Union Chairman Semih Durmuş expressed his condolences to the security officer Tuğrul Okudan, who died in an attack by the relatives of the patients, and pointed out that the attacks against healthcare workers hurt the conscience of the society. Durmuş said, “In many cases, the fact that the attackers are not punished despite the law both deeply affects the health workers and encourages the attackers. As such, we see that the violence continues unabated. When all this is taken into account, we can hear how painful the alarm bells are ringing in health. Violence in health, which disturbs the general public, must end now.”