Violence against healthcare in Sinop: Health worker punched for reminding parent about baby's vaccination

Mehmet Kaya, a 58-year-old health worker serving in the Ayancık district of Sinop, was subjected to a brutal attack by a father, A.U., whom he had contacted to remind him about his baby's delayed mandatory vaccination. The attacker, who stormed the Family Health Center and caused terror by shouting, "Why did you call my wife at that hour?", struck the unfortunate health worker with a punch that fractured his cheekbone in three places, requiring surgery. A "White Code" (emergency alert for violence) was issued following the incident, and it was revealed that the attacker is also a public official.

While the health worker, who was assaulted while on duty, continues his treatment, health unions and professional organizations have protested against impunity and called for deterrent measures to be taken.

HIS DUTY WAS TO PROTECT THE BABY'S HEALTH

The horrific incident began when Mehmet Kaya, a health worker at the Ayancık Family Health Center, sought to follow up on childhood vaccinations that are mandatory by regulation:

Mehmet Kaya attempted to reach the family during working hours when the vaccination date for the baby of A.U., who works as a public official in the district, had passed, but he was unsuccessful. Due to the urgency of the situation, he called the mother's phone around 10:00 PM but received no answer.

When Kaya called the number again a while later, the father, A.U., answered. Reminding him that the baby's vaccination needed to be administered, Kaya ended the conversation politely, saying, "I apologize for the disturbance, but you need to come in tomorrow."

"I CAME TO SETTLE THE SCORE," HE SAID, CAUSING TERROR

Two days after the phone call, the father, A.U., came to the Family Health Center and burst directly into the examination room where Mehmet Kaya was working.

In the room, the attacker, who shouted threats and made harassing insinuations by saying, "I came to settle the score because you called my wife at that hour," struck Mehmet Kaya hard in the face during the ensuing argument. Kaya, who collapsed to the floor from the force of the punch, suffered a three-part fracture in his cheekbone.

Mehmet Kaya, who was at risk of permanent damage to his face, was taken for emergency surgery at Samsun Training and Research Hospital, where he had been referred. The health worker, whose surgery was successful, was given a 10-day medical leave report.

WHITE CODE ISSUED, INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED

At the time of the incident, the "White Code" emergency procedure was immediately activated at the health center, and the police were notified. The attacker, A.U., was detained by teams from the Ayancık District Police Department, and the investigation file prepared was sent to the Ayancık Courthouse for judicial proceedings.

OUTCRY FROM UNIONS: "PENALTIES MUST BE DETERRENT"

This attack on a healthcare worker has sparked a reaction.

BASK Sinop Provincial President Hüseyin Ulusoy: "We will follow this matter to the end. We stand by our member in all judicial and administrative investigations. We condemn this brutal attack."

Birlik Sağlık Sen Chairman Ahmet Doğruyol: "It is a complete tragedy that a health worker, who is fighting for a child to be vaccinated and grow up healthy, is beaten. Unfortunately, violence in healthcare does not stop because there are no deterrent penalties. Those who commit violence should be deprived of public services, and there should never be any deferment of sentences (HAGB) for the penalties given."

News Source: 12punto