NURSE WONG WAI-MING is unlikely ever to forget his ordeal. Five years ago, while working in a psychiatric clinic, he was horribly scarred for life by acid thrown at him by a mentally ill patient. Mr Wong, 31, suffered burns to 22 per cent of his body, leaving him with scars on his face, neck, chest, arms and left ankle, as well as a trauma that is likely to last for the rest of his life.
The assault alarmed many doctors and nurses who, as they go about their daily duties, are exposed to verbal abuse, threats and even violence from patients or angry family members distraught at losing their loved ones.
And it is only one in a series of worrying cases in recent years that have highlighted the serious problem of patients attacking medical staff. One nurse was wounded by a chopper-wielding heroin addict last year, and a hospital guard needed counselling after being scratched by an HIV-infected patient.
The problem even extends to patients' relatives. Only a fortnight ago, a Kwong Wah Hospital doctor was punched after telling one relative not to light a cigarette.
Several medical staff interviewed by the Sunday Morning Post said it was time they were provided with better protection at their workplace and given more support from their bosses. 'We fear that in some cases, the management might try to avoid trouble and simply not alert the police,' said Lai Kang-yiu, the president of the Public Doctors' Association. 'We insist that anyone who threatens or assaults the staff should be punished. We hope there will be clear guidelines for staff to deal with violence, and we want management to be tough.'
Legislator Michael Mak Kwok-fung, who represents the health-care profession, said nurses expressed concern to him about their safety after the incident with Mr Wong. 'They worried about their safety and whether there was enough protection for staff in the workplace.'