Relatives attack doctor
The National, Monday July 15th, 2013
By JAMES GUMUNO
RELATIVES of a deceased attacked a doctor in front of nurses and other patients in the surgical ward of the Mt Hagen General Hospital in Western Highlands.
The doctor was bashed after he announced the death of a cancer patient to his relatives who had gathered in the ward.
Hospital sources said yesterday, the doctor was badly beaten and suffered major injuries to his face.
The source said the deceased had cancer of the throat and after an operation a tube was inserted to enable his breathing.
He said on Saturday morning, the deceased experienced difficulties in breathing when nurses called the doctor.
He said the doctor was busy doing his rounds and turned up at the hospital around 5pm to attend to the patient.
The source said the doctor tried his best to help the patient but the man died.
“As soon as the doctor announced to the waiting relatives that the patient had died, the relatives got up and attacked the doctor inside the ward,” he said.
He said other patients and nurses looked on helplessly.
He said the relatives escaped after the attack and the matter was reported to the police.
He said attacks on health workers were common at the hospital where people did as they pleased.
Provincial police commander Martin Lakari could not be contacted for comment yesterday.