The Ministry of Health said in a statement on Sunday that it is taking a firm stance against the increasing phenomenon of violence against medical workers and staff.
“We are going through a complicated period, with an alarming increase in violence against medical teams and hospital staff,” Health Minister Uriel Busso said of security personnel affected by recent violent incidents. After speaking with the staff, he said:
“The conclusion is clear: the phenomenon of violence has become commonplace and has a serious impact on the health system and its proper functioning. We will continue to act relentlessly to stop this.”
In recent months, incidents of violence against medical professionals and staff have made headlines.
In mid-January, police reported that a patient at St. Joseph's Hospital in Jerusalem violently attacked medical staff.
The 37-year-old suspect, who was subsequently arrested, reportedly became enraged and assaulted staff, including a doctor, as he was unhappy with the care he was receiving.
As a result, doctors required treatment.
Security guard assaulted at Galilee Medical Center
Additionally, three men assaulted a security guard at Galilee Medical Center last Friday. One of the assailants reportedly succeeded in wresting a gun from one of the guards, but was unsuccessful in firing.
The clash occurred after the men did not follow instructions from security personnel.
In response to an apparent increase in violent acts at medical centres, the Ministry of Health said it had taken measures such as deploying police officers to hospitals and increasing security at mental health centres. The ministry also noted that it had allocated additional resources to combat this violence.
Additionally, a “desk” has been set up in the ministry to manage and track all violent incidents. A hotline has also been set up to help people report such incidents.
Additionally, a collaborative system with the Ministry of Justice has been established to punish perpetrators more quickly and efficiently.
However, the Ministry of Health recognized that these measures alone are not enough to curb violence, it added, calling on enforcement agencies and stakeholders to take a firm stance against violence.
The ministry's statement did not explain why a significant increase in violence was observed.
Minister Uriel Busso said: “These days, medical teams are working with dedication and on the front lines. We need to ensure that they can work in a protected and safe environment. It is our duty,” he added. To effectively and quickly address this phenomenon, enforcement agencies are expected to enforce the law against perpetrators, strengthen punishments, and protect the safety of health system personnel. ”
