Medical Protection joins with the South African Medical Association (SAMA) in condemning incidents of violence and abuse against doctors. SAMA today expressed its concern about security issues faced by doctors, highlighting multiple tragic cases in recent years in which doctors have been subject to violence.
Commenting, Dr Graham Howarth, Head of Medical Services – Africa, for Medical Protection said:
“Sadly, these incidents accord with the experience of many doctors supported by Medical Protection. Late last year, a Medical Protection survey found almost one in three (31%) of healthcare professionals in South Africa suffered verbal or physical abuse from patients, patients’ families or members of the public.
“Violence and abuse against doctors is deplorable and adds yet another source of anxiety for doctors at the worst possible time. Protecting doctors from violence is a vital challenge, and one that must be met by national and provincial governments, hospitals, institutions and the wider healthcare community.”
ENDS
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About Medical Protection Society
The Medical Protection Society Limited (“MPS”) is the world’s leading protection organisation for doctors, dentists and healthcare professionals. We protect and support the professional interests of almost 300,000 members around the world. Membership provides access to expert advice and support and can also provide, depending on the type of membership required, the right to request indemnity for any complaints or claims arising from professional practice.
Our in-house experts assist with the wide range of legal and ethical problems that arise from professional practice. This can include clinical negligence claims, complaints, medical and dental council inquiries, legal and ethical dilemmas, disciplinary procedures, inquests and fatal accident inquiries.
Our philosophy is to support safe practice in medicine and dentistry by helping to avert problems in the first place. We do this by promoting risk management through our workshops, E-learning, clinical risk assessments, publications, conferences, lectures and presentations.
MPS is not an insurance company. All the benefits of membership of MPS are discretionary as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association.