In Odessa, a proposal was made to survey medical professionals regarding attacks on hospital staff

In Odesa, officials want to determine which doctors’ offices need to have panic buttons installed due to the risk of attacks by patients and their relatives. To this end, they propose conducting a survey of medical professionals to identify who needs such protection.

This was discussed at a meeting of the city council’s standing committee on health care.

One of the council members, who is also a member of the committee, noted that medical staff are being attacked, but employees generally do not report these incidents to law enforcement or facility directors.

“We need to address this,” he said.

Olena Kolodenko, head of the Department of Health, explained that every medical facility in Odesa has a contract with a security company. According to her, a panic button can be installed if the facility pays for this service.

Kolodenko emphasized that every director of a municipal facility can add this service, calculate the necessary funds, and protect their staff.

The council member noted that this would not happen without pressure on the directors of medical facilities and asked the attending administrators to speak up.

The director of City Children’s Polyclinic No. 5 explained that the facility has panic buttons at the reception desk, with security, with the director, and with the department heads. According to her, they are located on virtually every floor. The clinic has been working with security firms for about 10 years.

A council member interrupted her emotionally. He gave the example of a pediatrician of slight build who might be attacked by a patient’s mother who is not entirely sane.

“What I’m saying is that every office needs a panic button for every doctor,” he emphasized.

The director replied that the clinic had considered this issue but deemed it impractical to install panic buttons in every office. According to her, doctors see patients alongside a nurse, and there are seven doctors working on each floor. Where a panic button is necessary, one has been provided.

The council member objected, noting that not all doctors have a nurse. He stated that he was not satisfied with the response.

Following the discussion, Councilwoman Iryna Kutsenko proposed conducting a survey of doctors via Google Forms. Healthcare facility administrators should determine which staff members require additional protection. The Department of Health should assess the needs and identify where the installation of emergency buttons is necessary.

Ірина Глухова