It is no secret that healthcare workers have it rough. Aside from the increased risk of COVID-19, some of these workers used to be shunned by landlords for doing their job.
It is no wonder more healthcare workers decided to throw in the towel and quit their jobs.
But there appears to be more horrible things that healthcare workers face.
Patient Once Asked NUH Nurse if She Provides Sexual Service; Another Openly Molested Nurse
Around 1,080 cases of abuse and harassment cases against healthcare workers were reported in 2018. Last year, the number of cases reported increased to 1,300.
This year, according to MOH, the highest number of such reports comes from Tan Tock Seng Hospital and National Centre for Infectious Diseases. From Jan to Oct 2021, there was already 244 reports as compared to 158 in 2020.
The numbers here did not include those who did not report the abuse and harassment cases, so there are actually much more abuse and harassment going on.
Some of the reports include a patient grabbing the nurse’s breast twice while another even asked if the nurse provided sexual services. These two incidents happened at National University Hospital (NUH).
The patients that committed these acts of harassment were both sternly told off by senior doctors and nurses.
So what are the reasons these healthcare workers are getting abused aside from Geylang not reopening soon enough?
Why Healthcare Workers are Getting Abused?
There are a number of reasons healthcare workers are getting abused. Some include the patients’ personal frustrations to other underlying illnesses, and here’s the extensive list:
- Patients’ frustrations while waiting to access healthcare services
- Patients want to be attended to immediately when staff is caring for other patients
- Patients’ unexplained aggression although not provoked
- Stress faced by patients due to personal matters
- Medical reasons eg. dementia, delirium or psychiatric conditions
- Staff not meeting patients unreasonable demands
- Patients’ refuse to comply with safety protocols
Zero-Tolerance Policy
The Ministry of Health (MOH) said they adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards abuse and harassment of the healthcare staff. The Protection from Harassment Act (POHA), protects all individuals from harassment. This includes healthcare workers as well.
Those harassing others can be fine up to S$5,000 or be thrown behind bars for up to six months, or both. Victims can also obtain Protection Orders or sue the perpetrator for damages.
Those harassing public healthcare workers while they are working will also get an enhanced punishment. They may be fined up to S$5,000, imprisoned up to 12 months or both.
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Featured Image: PongMoji/ Shutterstock.com
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