Attacks on healthcare workers in Van and Hakkari cause great concern

Violence in healthcare that started in Van and spread to Hakkari has deepened security concerns in the sector. The first incident occurred at Van Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi. Here, healthcare worker Oktay Özbey, a member of Öz Sağlık-İş Sendikası, was injured in an attack by patients and their relatives. Upon this incident, Öz Sağlık-İş Sendikası Genel Başkanı Devlet Sert made a press statement, condemning the attack and calling for sensitivity. Emphasizing that necessary measures must be taken urgently to ensure the safety of healthcare workers, Sert called for the attackers to be punished in the harshest and most deterrent manner and for an end to violence.

While the repercussions of this tragic event in Van continued, news of a similar attack came from Hakkari. A 112 Acil Sağlık team that went to the scene in Hakkari's Bağlar Mahallesi to intervene with a patient was subjected to a physical attack by the patient's relatives, it is claimed. The team, who were attacked while on duty, experienced shock and astonishment. Upon the incident being heard, Sağlık-Sen Hakkari Şubesi issued a harsh statement regarding the matter. In the statement, the attack on the healthcare personnel on duty was condemned in the strongest terms. Union officials described the attack as 'barbaric' and 'unacceptable'.

In the written statement of Sağlık-Sen Hakkari Şubesi, it was said that there can be no justification for violence against healthcare workers. It was stated that the hands reaching out to health workers who work sacrificially to save human lives are condemned. Get-well-soon messages were conveyed to the attacked employees. In the continuation of the statement, it was expressed that the legal process regarding the incident will be followed meticulously and a struggle will be waged to ensure the attackers receive the punishment they deserve. The union emphasized that they will follow the issue.

These consecutive events have once again brought to light the risks healthcare workers face while performing their duties. Increasing cases of this kind, particularly in the Eastern Anatolia region, are demoralizing workers and causing concern. Ensuring the safety of healthcare workers has now become a necessity. Both unions like Öz Sağlık-İş and Sağlık-Sen argue that the issue should be seen as a matter above politics. Calls are being made for the tightening of legal regulations for a solution.

Overall, the principle of zero tolerance against violence in healthcare is being recalled. Recent attacks create an opportunity to remind the public of the value and importance of healthcare workers once again. It is emphasized that the efforts of healthcare workers to save human lives should not be punished with violence. In all statements, a common 'stop' is being said, asking for measures to be taken to prevent further tragic events. The incidents in both Van and Hakkari underscore the urgency of increasing security measures.