Clalit strikes back at violent attacks

The event was initiated after a screwdriver-wielding patient at Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot stabbed Dr. Marius Gai.

By JUDY SIEGEL-ITZKOVICH
rambam hospital good generic pic 248 88 (photo credit: Channel 10)
rambam hospital good generic pic 248 88
(photo credit: Channel 10)
Some 1,000 incidents of physical and verbal violence against medical staffers in the nation's clinics and hospitals were recorded last year, but only 14 attackers have been indicted, Clalit Health Services official Gabi Gal said Monday during an emergency meeting on violence in the health system. The country's largest health fund announced Monday that it has decided to invest NIS 2.5 million to purchase protective equipment for medical workers in their clinics and hospitals, tighten ties with the Israel Police and train staffers on how to identify high-risk situations. The event, organized by the Israel Management Center at Kfar Hamaccabiah, was initiated after a screwdriver-wielding patient at Kaplan Medical Center in Rehovot stabbed Dr. Marius Gai. The urologist, in his late 50s, was hospitalized for weeks at Sheba Medical Center, and feared that he would no longer be able to work as a urological surgeon. But Gai appeared at Monday's event standing on his own two feet. He said that medical students go through rigorous screening before they are admitted to medical school, and are overjoyed when they finally receive their degree and can save lives. He bemoaned the state of affairs where these same doctors would then suffer from violence at the hands of patients and family members. Gai no longer needs his wheelchair or a helper. In fact, he went to the MSR medical simulation center at Sheba to see whether he could operate again; he performed well, despite the serious trauma caused by the attack, and he hopes to resume his work eventually. Meanwhile, the Israel Medical Association (IMA) will appear before the High Court of Justice on Wednesday to present its suit against the Health Ministry for "not doing enough" to fight violence in medical facilities. The IMA recently decided to hire a private investigation firm, staffed by former senior police officers, to help doctors who have been victims of violence file complaints. In the event of a violent incident, doctors may call an emergency number available round the clock. A company representative will go to the doctor and help him or her file a complaint and help arrest the attacker. So far, six such cases have been handled.