…Regional Administration should take responsibility – Minister
The security concerns of doctors and hospital staffers were raised again following an attack by a drunken patient, on a doctor at the West Demerara Regional Hospital (WDRH) on Sunday.
According to Police D Division (West Demerara and East Bank Essequibo) Commander Leslie James, the incident occurred around 20:30h when a male, middle-aged patient arrived at the Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit complaining of pain in his left arm.
He was then attended to by a male doctor, who informed him that he would require an x-ray and referred him to a private institution, since the service was not available at the time. The patient, in his drunken state, began hurling indecent language at the doctor and then proceeded to ‘chuck’ him.
James said another patient observed the incident and intervened. Following the intervention, the relatives of the doctor’s assailant joined in and a scuffle ensued. Security was unable to control the situation and the Police were called in.
The disarranged room following the ordeal
The parties involved were all taken to the Vreed-en-Hoop Police Station, where statements were taken and the alleged assailant was sent for medical treatment. James added that the Police were still conducting their investigations and were awaiting a report from the Hospital on the extent of the damage to its property.
Junior Public Health Minister, Dr Karen Cummings on Monday told Guyana Times that the issue had been brought to her attention and it would be dealt with by the Police. She added that it did bring the question of security for doctors into question, but said that that was the primary responsibility of the regional administrations and where the blame should fall.
Region Three Chairman Julius Faerber said that he was unaware of the incident, and efforts to contact Regional Executive Officer Dennis Jaikarran proved unsuccessful.
A source at the Hospital told this publication that the security guards were often overworked and underpaid. The source added that the institution required baton and armed guards, since this was not the first incident wherein doctors and hospital staffers have been assaulted.
