Doctor attacked by patient at SMC

Manama : A doctor at a government hospital in the Capital was attacked by an angry patient on Thursday, leaving him severely wounded, DT News has learnt.

The incident occurred at the Hereditary Blood Disorder Centre at Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) while the Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) patient was receiving treatment. An altercation between the patient and the doctor ended in the scuffle with the latter being rushed to the Emergency and Accident Department at the hospital. However, the reason that sparked the fight wasn’t clarified.

Health Ministry strongly condemned the incident and affirmed in a statement issued here yesterday that “such irresponsible behaviours of patients are rejected”.

Hospitals Affairs Assistant Undersecretary Dr Mohammed Amin confirmed that the doctor was on duty performing his tasks at the time he was verbally and physically assaulted by the patient.

“As a result of the attack, the doctor sustained injuries, the workflow at the Hereditary Blood Disorder Centre was disrupted and a wave of panic spread between the visitors and staff of the centre. Security guards and senior officials intervened to control the situation and ensure that patients receive their treatment in a peaceful atmosphere. The matter was immediately referred to the Legal Affairs Department in the ministry to take the necessary procedures,” Dr Amin explained.

The ministry’s statement mentioned that Dr Amin instructed all patients, especially SCD patients, to comply with the regulations of SMC, to adhere to the treatment procedures and to cooperate with the medical staff, so they can perform their work to provide comfort and tranquillity to patients in an appropriate atmosphere for treatment.

A similar incident was reported at the same facility last April when two Bahraini SCD patients attacked a doctor.

Two days later, the Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa instructed to ensure the safety of medical staff in public health facilities.

“The Prime Minister issued directives to develop fundamental solutions and take decisive administrative measures to deal with anything that affects the smooth flow of services at health facilities and to ensure the protection of public employees during the exercise of their duties in order to maintain a good level of medical services at health centres and hospitals,” Cabinet Secretary-General Dr Yasser Al Nasser said in a press statement released on April 17 last year.

The Supreme Council for Health (SCH) also condemned the incident and confirmed that it will take the necessary measures to promote the protection and safety regulations of medical personnel while on duty.