In the results, which reveal that the spiral of violence is growing day by day, it was noted that the penal sanctions against the perpetrators remained weak and this was an important factor in the escalation of violence.
Violence against healthcare workers continues unabated. While news of violence is on the agenda almost every day, the murder of Doctor Ekrem Karakaya who works at Konya City Hospital, by bullets a patient's relative’s gun while on duty, revealed the grave dimensions of violence. Bringing this spiral of violence in health to the public agenda with monthly reports, Sağlık-Sen's June report also included striking data. According to the report, there were 32 cases of violence during the month. In these incidents carried out by 47 attackers, 42 health workers became victims. As in the previous months, the majority of the perpetrators of violence were patients and their relatives. Patients and their relatives caused 26 of 32 violence events.
THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH HAS PRIMARY DUTIES
The weakness of criminal sanctions against violence was also evident in the events in June. While no action was taken against 14 of the 47 attackers who led to violence, 10 attackers who were detained were released. While investigations were launched against 11 attackers, 12 attackers were also arrested. Sağlık-Sen Chairman Semih Durmuş noted that violence is deepening day by day and this situation has become a threat to health workers, and said, “For the issue to reach this point, everyone should put aside the search for criminals and mobilize for a radical solution to the problem. For this, the primary task falls to the Ministry of Health. The only way to solve the problem radically is to increase social sensitivity. No matter how much the penalties are increased, unfortunately, it is not a deterrent. Therefore, social sensitivity is essential.”