Nurses protest following assault of colleague by motorist

 

A nurse who was physically assaulted during a recorded incident last Tuesday is reportedly recovering at hospital.

 

On Monday her colleagues took to the streets demanding greater protection for healthcare workers.

 

From a rousings march along the University Hospital of the West Indies Ring Road, to flanking the sidewalks of the National Workers Union along East Street, just above the Tax Administration Jamaica building, dozens of nurses hoisted placards and chanted "We want justice!" in anger and fear under the pelting sun Monday. 

 

Their message is clear: A grave injustice was done and the violence must stop. 

 

The protest comes after a colleague was attacked and assaulted by an armed motorist, an incident that has shaken the healthcare community.

 

Sydia Allen, President of the Practical Nurses Association of Jamaica, said Monday's action decries indignity against all women and children.

 

"We are here to support all nurses and all women. What exactly are you hoping to achieve out of what we're seeing today? Recognition and for the ministries to really, you know, to really looking to it and see that we are standing for something," she said. 

 

Meanwhile, one protester who asked not to be named, called for the Health Ministry and law enforcement to step up security measures. She told the Radio Jamaica News that she, too, is a victim of physical assault.

 

"[I was] a victim on the 26th of March where I was held up by a gunman. I was tortured. I was beaten. I was tied up. Today I hope that we will get love and that justice will be served for the nurse, not only for her but for each and every one of us as female, children, female children because a lot of our daughters have been abused by the hands of men - gunmen, rapists and all those. So we really need justice from this." 

 

Police officers were out in their numbers of providing assistance to motorists as well as demonstrators.

 

Nursing students from the University of Technology were also among protesters.

 

The Ministry of Health also provided support and hydration to those participating in the action.

 

Traffic along the roadway was converted to one way. 

 

Meanwhile, Health Minister Dr. Christopher Tufton, who was among the protesters, repeated his condemnation of the incident. Dr. Tufton underscored the importance of nurses.

 

"They are the stabilising force in our public health system. They are on the road 24 hours a day, seven days a week because that's the nature of their job. And we really as a country should recognise the importance of protecting them, giving them safe passage, showing them respect because hospitals and health centres can't function without them. When you go to an impatient room, care room in a hospital at 2 a.m. in the morning, when the doctor not there, the nurses are there. And they represent the bulk, the masses in our system, and they are trained to support us in an essential service. 

 

"We cannot have them living in fear about going to work and coming home because of any incident whatsoever. And I think there needs to be a strong message sent, which is why I support the protest to just get people to understand, Jamaicans, why it is important and why all of us have a stake in giving this support," he told Radio Jamaica News.