Members of the National Medical Union ask for emergency buttons, security perimeters and metal detectors in hospitals, following the aggression against a doctor on Monday at the hospital in Alajuela.
Edwin Solano, president of the Union, stressed that in other places such as Desamparados and Limón they have had to implement some of these measures to guarantee the safety of the personnel.
An Emergency Department doctor was assaulted by the husband of a patient, who demanded that the woman be treated immediately, even though the doctor was taking care of another patient.
What if one of these people come with a gun? […] Doctors should be concerned about helping the patient, they should not be worried about a possible attack against them,”
said Solano.
According to Solano these situations affect the personnel at national level, but in Alajuela it is serious.
Here we assist people from La Reforma prison and we do not know if visitors bring weapons or drugs,”
explained Solano, who also stressed that the battered doctor is terribly affected.
We do not know how long he will be incapacitated … We are going to charge that aggressor in legal terms,”
reported Solano.
Due to this episode, three doctors who were in the place were incapacitated during a day, due to an emotional shock.
Óscar Buitrago, head of Emergencies, stressed that all employees are in protest and dressed in black, asking for better security conditions.