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DOCTORS AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL
REQUIRE SPECIAL PROTECTION
12.04.2008
In the early morning hours of
April 11, 2008, Mr. Ali Rifatllari, a cardiology
surgeon at the “Mother Teresa” Hospital Center,
was stabbed with a knife suddenly by a person,
reportedly with a criminal record and sick, but
not closed up in a relevant institution for
persons who pose social dangers. The Albanian
Helsinki Committee (AHC) believes that such data
will be the target of investigations by the
prosecutor’s office.
An AHC group went to the hospital
and, during a meeting with medical personnel,
was informed that the wounded doctor was
subjected immediately to a necessary surgery and
is now under intensive treatment and out of life
danger. AHC wishes the doctor and his family a
quick recovery and a continuation of his
important and humane mission at the service of
saving people’s lives.
Based on this case, AHC expresses
its regret that cases that have jeopardized the
life and health of doctors and medical personnel
have occurred in the past, while measures by the
relevant state bodies have been temporary and
inadequate.
AHC deems it necessary to
highlight the fact that in the daily practice
and certain moments, the contribution by medical
personnel has been positive and laudable.
They have been willing, working
day and night, to safe people’s lives and to
give them first aid, in spite of infrastructure
deficiencies in Albanian hospitals and in the
absence of essential medicaments and necessary
equipment.
Stemming from this case, AHC
calls upon the Government of Albania and the
Ministry of Health to seriously assess the
situation in our health institutions.
AHC calls upon the Ministry of
Health to take measures in order to provide
sufficient health premises for treating mentally
ill persons who pose a threat to the society and
their own family.
AHC requests from justice bodies
to seriously assess cases of adjudication of
persons who commit crimes and display mental
disorders, enforce medical measures with
obligatory treatment.
AHC calls upon the Ministry of
Health to guarantee the keeping in health
institutions of persons who pose dangers to the
society and the family and for whom there is a
court decision.
AHC suggests to the Interior
Ministry bodies to enhance supervisory
mechanisms in health service institutions, to
provide order, calmness, and the prevention of
criminal offenses in hospital premises and
around them.
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