Egypt detains six people over allegedly assaulting medical staff at public hospital

The Egyptian Public Prosecution ordered on Tuesday the detention of six people for four days, pending further investigations over allegedly assaulting a doctor, five nurses, and security personnel and damaging medical equipment at a hospital in northern Egyptian Beheira province.

The Public Prosecution listened to the testimonies of the hospital director and the medical staff who stated that they were assaulted by relatives of a patient suffering from breathing difficulties due to being exposed to fire, according to a statement.

The testimonies said that the incident started when one of the patient's relatives slapped a nurse in the face during an argument, so the medical staff intervened to defend the stricken nurse.

Afterwards, the patient's relatives attacked several nurses and the doctor on duty, causing physical injuries and damaging hospital equipment.

The accused denied these accounts during the interrogation.

The reason that incited the attack remains unknown but there has been a growing trend nationwide of families of patients assaulting medical staff for falling short in treating patients. 

Calls for passing laws that ensure the protection of medical staff, especially at public hospitals have been demanded frequently in recent years. 

Last week, a similar assault reportedly occurred in Menoufia province in northern Egypt involving an air force pilot and his family. However, none of the alleged attackers has been held in custody yet.