Attempted stabbing at Nicosia general hospital, staff to strike in protest

A patient tried to stab someone at Nicosia general hospital and then punched a doctor and two nurses, unions charged on Saturday, prompting them to organise a two-hour strike on Monday.

Police said they were on the hunt for the 29-year-old man after he threatened and attacked two nurses and a doctor.

“At some point, he pulled out a knife and tried to injure someone at the neck, who was at the ER waiting room.”

The strike will take place between 8-10am at the hospital’s A&E department however critical cases (categories one and two) will be treated, according to a joint statement by unions Pasyki, Pasyno and Pasydy.

State health services (Okypy) condemned the incident and urged security officers to “step in on time” without showing any kind of tolerance to these kinds of actions.

In a statement, it said health professionals “are there to save lives, not to be attacked.” Okypy added it would take all possible steps to ensure justice is served.

It was not immediately clear who the suspect was trying to stab. Unions said it was a male nurse, while police said it was towards another patient.

Nonetheless, beyond the attempted knife attack, he also punched a doctor and a female nurse.

“This is completely unacceptable and condemnable. It is not the first time health professionals receive these kinds of attacks.”

Unions charged medical professionals are on the receiving end of verbal abuse on a daily basis and those in charge with hospital management “should protect us”.

“We are asking for safety and protection so we can keep working. Otherwise, we’ll shut shop and go home so we can be safe.”