Khaberni - Issa Al-Khashashneh, the head of the Medical Association, said on Saturday that the number of recorded assaults on medical staff during the past three months reached about 10 cases, with some registered in the courts and others ended in reconciliation; 3 cases in the capital, an incident in Zarqa, two incidents in Irbid, an incident in Karak, and an incident in Jerash.
Al-Khashashneh explained to Al-Mamlaka TV that last year saw between 35 and 40 cases of assault recorded.
With regard to penalties, he emphasized the need for a deterrent and stringent law, noting that the law was amended in 2019. However, what is currently important is the activation of the law through the acceleration of legal proceedings, and not dropping public charges easily, in addition to intensifying penalties compared to what was stipulated in previous laws.
He stressed the necessity for assaults on doctors to be considered crimes that affect both the doctor personally and the community at large, calling for the criminalization of any assault on a doctor both individually and communally, and for enhancing security within hospitals through the presence of a security unit in each hospital to maintain order and safety, in addition to intensifying awareness among citizens, whether visitors or others, to enhance cohesion between service providers including doctors and nurses and the community.
He indicated that the situation has improved compared to before, where an assault was treated as a brawl, leading to the assaulted doctor being taken to the security center and both parties being detained. Now, doctors and security staff remain in their workplace, while the assailants are taken only to the police station and then to court, a measure he considered a direct reason for the reduction in the number of assaults.
Al-Khashashneh mentioned that the presence of security agencies inside government hospitals provides a positive security aspect, maintains peace and stability, and contributes to reassuring service providers. It also enhances communication with visitors and imparts a sense of prestige and discipline.
On another note regarding doctors' performance, Al-Khashashneh confirmed that a doctor is "human who makes mistakes and also gets it right", pointing out that a comfortable work environment, fewer shifts, and satisfying wages reflect positively on the physical and psychological comfort of the doctor and service provider, allowing them more time to interact with patients and explain the details of medical conditions, especially since the patient and their family are often in a state of stress.
He also pointed to a staffing crisis in several hospitals, with a noticeable improvement recently, expressing his hope for the community's understanding of the pressures doctors face.
Al-Khashashneh further mentioned that hospital administrations organize regular educational lectures, especially in response to complaints or remarks from citizens.
