Saudi Gazette report MADINAH — Night duty nurses working in Madinah hospitals' emergency wards have complained about harassment they face at work. One nurse complained that harassers sometimes pull out weapons to intimidate them. She said there was only one security guard posted at the hospital where she worked. Spokesman for Madinah Health Affairs Abdulrazzaq Hafiz said any complaints about harassment were referred to the department's assistant general manager Dr. Mohammad Al-Shalahe. He said such occurrences are normal in hospitals and health centers due to overcrowding. Patients' tempers flare and the victims are usually medical personnel, who are then supposed to show calm and understanding, he said. Madinah Health Affairs, he said, is always keen to educate patients of their rights and duties. There is the possibility of having police posts near hospitals in addition to increasing night duty security personnel, he said. A number of nurses ask for additional privileges similar to those granted to doctors, such as infection and housing allowances, Al-Shalahe claimed. She also criticized doctors' harsh treatment of nurses. One nurse said she acquired tuberculosis from a patient and was referred to a Taif hospital. She was not given the necessary treatment and had to visit private doctors and pay for her treatment. Nursing consultant Dr. Sabah Abu Zanadah criticized the lack of transportation, harsh working environments and low salaries and allowances that nurses have to endure. Nursing specialist and supervisor of development and research at Jeddah Health Affairs Ranya Khaleel said head nurses do not have the authority to develop workers or pay them overtime. She claimed there was an urgent need for specialized nursing diplomas. Some officials in the medical sector, she added, do not understand nursing care and its important role. The nursing head at Jeddah Health Affairs Iman Ba Dukhn urged health authorities to provide nursing training courses. She said the nursing department has prepared six nursing studies. There is also a plan to train 100 nurses on advanced nursing skills in cooperation with the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland.
