Medical College, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Road, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan.
Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Stadium Road, Karachi, 74800, Pakistan.
Ann Glob Health. 2021 Apr 23;87(1):41. doi: 10.5334/aogh.3203.
Healthcare workers (HCWs) across the globe have met tremendous challenges during the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, such as shortages of personal protective equipment, extensive work hours, and constant fear of catching the virus or transmitting it to loved ones. Adding on to the already existing burnout, an increase in incidents of violence and aggression against HCWs was seen in Pakistan and globally.
Primarily to review cases of violence against HCWs in Pakistan, highlighting and comparing the instigating factors seen within the country and globally. Secondly, to enlist possible interventions to counter workplace violence in healthcare during a pandemic and in general.
Incidents of violence towards HCWs in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic occurring between April 7, 2020, and August 7, 2020, were included. The incidents reported from local newspapers were reviewed.
A total of 29 incidents were identified, with perpetrators of violence most commonly being relatives of COVID-19 patients. Most frequent reasons included mistrust in HCWs, belief in conspiracy theories, hospitals' refusal to admit COVID-19 patients due to limited space, COVID-19 hospital policies, and the death of the COVID-19 patients. Protests by doctors and other HCWs for provision of adequate PPE, better quarantine conditions for doctors with suspected COVID-19, and better compensation for doctors on COVID-19 patient duty resulted in police violence towards HCWs. To avoid such incidents in the future, institutions, healthcare policymakers, media organisations, and law enforcement agencies must work together for widespread public awareness to counter misconceptions and to exhibit responsible journalism. In hospitals, measures such as de-escalation training and increased security must be implemented. Furthermore, law enforcement agencies must be trained in non-violent methods of crowd dispersal and control to manage peaceful protests by HCWs over legitimate issues.
在 COVID-19（2019 年冠状病毒病）大流行期间，全球各地的医护人员（HCWs）面临着巨大的挑战，例如个人防护设备短缺、工作时间长、不断担心感染病毒或将其传播给亲人。除了已经存在的职业倦怠外，在巴基斯坦和全球范围内，针对 HCWs 的暴力和侵犯事件也有所增加。
主要回顾巴基斯坦发生的针对 HCWs 的暴力事件，强调和比较该国和全球范围内的诱发因素。其次，列出在大流行期间和一般情况下在医疗保健中对抗工作场所暴力的可能干预措施。
纳入 2020 年 4 月 7 日至 2020 年 8 月 7 日期间在 COVID-19 大流行期间在巴基斯坦发生的针对 HCWs 的暴力事件。审查来自当地报纸的报告事件。
共确定了 29 起事件，暴力行为的肇事者最常见的是 COVID-19 患者的亲属。最常见的原因包括对 HCWs 的不信任、对阴谋论的信仰、医院因空间有限而拒绝收治 COVID-19 患者、COVID-19 医院政策以及 COVID-19 患者死亡。医生和其他 HCWs 抗议提供足够的 PPE、为疑似 COVID-19 的医生提供更好的隔离条件以及为 COVID-19 患者值班的医生提供更好的补偿，导致警察对 HCWs 施暴。为了避免将来发生此类事件，医疗机构、医疗保健政策制定者、媒体组织和执法机构必须共同努力，广泛开展公众意识宣传，以消除误解并展示负责任的新闻报道。在医院，必须实施降级培训和增加安保等措施。此外，执法机构必须接受非暴力的人群驱散和控制方法培训，以管理 HCWs 针对合法问题的和平抗议。
