Essay competition 2016: Violent attitudes contribute to violence against health workers

Such competitions provide catharsis and an opportunity for the society to explore solutions

ISLAMABAD: A general increase in violent attitudes in the society is causing increased violence against health workers.

This was stated by Zafarullah Khan, special assistant to the prime minister on law and justice at an award distribution ceremony in an essay competition held by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The winners of the competition, writing about “There is a growing trend of violence perpetrated by patient relatives in health-care settings. Why?”, were awarded at the Margalla Hotel in Islamabad on Saturday.

“Violence in our hospitals is widespread, and is the manifestation of a general increase in violent attitudes in our society,” Khan said

Such competitions, he said, provide catharsis and an opportunity for the society to explore solutions.

Reto Stocker, who heads the ICRC delegation in Pakistan, highlighted the organisation’s efforts to address violence against health staff.

“We all – government, civil society, international organisations and the health community – have to join hands and make health care in Pakistan better and safer for patients and their relatives,” he said.

This year, over 350 entries from 50 towns across Pakistan were entered into the competition.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2017.