Nursing staff at the Rawalpindi Institute of Cardiology staged a protest after a staffer was allegedly assaulted by relatives of a patient, with police registering a case against the alleged attackers.
According to the complaint filed by staff nurse Sitara Saleem, she was attending to patients in the emergency department when the patient’s three daughters were asked to leave the area.
The women allegedly resorted to violence, attacking her before dragging her towards the male ward.
Saleem alleged that two men also joined the assault, while the women tore her clothes and attempted to remove them.
She further alleged that the attackers threatened to have her dismissed from her job, saying they were wealthy and influential.
The nurse requested legal action, describing the incident as a serious assault and alleging that she was subjected to threats and mistreatment.
Following the complaint, Waris Khan Police registered a case against the patient’s daughters and other relatives. Police said raids were being conducted to arrest those involved in the incident.
The hospital administration also formed an inquiry committee to investigate the incident. This came as nursing staff across the hospital stopped work in protest and demanded measures to protect employees.
The protest temporarily left the emergency department and other wards without staff nurses, causing difficulties for patients.
The administration urged the nurses to end their protest and assured them of full cooperation, but the nursing staff refused.
The demonstration ended after police reached the hospital and assured the protesting nurses that a case will be registered and the culprits brought to task.
