Security measures tightened in hospitals to prevent violence against health workers

SAMSUN

As part of the measures aimed at preventing violence against doctors and other health workers, gendarmerie forces are deployed to public hospitals along with police officers.

The new measure began being implemented in the Black Sea province of Samsun.

One gendarmerie officer and one gendarmerie private have been on duty with a police officer at a Samsun hospital since July 27.

Patients believe new measures will be effective to prevent violence.

Meanwhile, a doctor and two policemen have been suspended over an incident that resulted in the death of an 82-year-old man in the Black Sea province of Giresun last week.

On July 24, Yusuf Topal, had an argument with a doctor at the community health center over the medication prescribed for his ill wife. Topal asked the doctor to renew the prescription so they could buy new medicine. The doctor refused to prescribe the medicine without examining her, but Topal said could not leave their home because of her illness.

As the argument grew, the doctor called in policemen who rear-handcuffed him and used pepper gas to restrain Topal.

However, during the scuffle the 82-year-old-man collapsed. He was taken to a hospital. Topal had a heart attack and lost his life.

The authorities have launched an investigation into the police and the doctor.

According to Demirören News Agency, the police testified that Topal had resisted them and that was why they had to handcuff him from behind the back and use the gas.

“We are the victims here,” the police claimed.

Following the inquiries, the two police officers and doctor have been suspended.

Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu called the family of the man who lost his life to extend his condolences.

Soylu promised a thorough investigation into the incident, said Hicran Akkaya Şenol, the family’s lawyer.