Woman Doctor Subjected to Violence from Colleague: 'Hospital Management Doesn't Care'

Photo: AA / Archive

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Dr. Rukiye Ekenler, an anesthesia and reanimation specialist in an İstanbul hospital, was beaten by a man colleague at work on April 11. "We are subjected to violence from not only patients' relatives but also our men colleagues and hospital administrations remain silent," she says.

Ekenler filed a complaint against Mehmet Sait Bingül with a medical report of "battery." Camera footage of the Florya Private Hospital also confirmed the incident.

She says it didn't happen suddenly and the problem is not with persons, but with the system. Noting that Bingül's behavior towards women doctors and patients had changed for quite some time, she says, "I think it happened because of the intense workload due to corona. He has been in the hospital for 10 days. Probably he is overwhelmed with that."

After tensions rose between him and another woman doctor in a meeting about the division of labor, Bingül called Ekenler on April 11 to meet with her at the hospital's cafeteria. He had also brought a patient's husband and told him that "If your wife dies, it is because of this woman," pointing towards her. He then started swearing at her and beating her, Ekenler says.

Bingül told T24 that he wasn't violent with Ekenler, on the contrary, he was subjected to insult and violence.

On the same day, Ekenler informed the hospital management and requested a "white code" as part of an application by the Ministry of Health to protect health workers from violence. However the hospital management turned down her request for a white code, she says.

"In such a period, layoffs are banned and it's hard to find a new doctor. The management doesn't care about what we went through. Doctors can't resign. There is a serious problem with the system. I want this to be seen. In a private hospital, the management tells both sides that 'Okey, the problem will be solved.' But there is no problem solving."

In the police station, where she went to file a complaint after receiving the medical report, she was constantly asked whether they were in a relationship, Ekenler says.

When we spoke with officials from the hospital, we were told, "The manager in charge says no information will be given." (EMK/VK)