JUSTICE FOR LIFE SAVERS - A Nurse's Call For Action
Picture courtesy of Doctors Without Borders MSF
By Sylvester Gawi
Doctors, Nurses and Community Health Workers play important roles in providing health care and support to the well-being of the people. I had the opportunity of speaking to a then staff nurse at ANGAU Hospital in Morobe province who has endured sexual violence in the hands of criminals at her home in Lae City in February 2013.
The killing of Dr Rongap Snr brings Maria three years back when she was traumatized by the inhuman acts of people who have no sense of respect for health workers.
Doctors, Nurses and Community Health Workers play important roles in providing health care and support to the well-being of the people. I had the opportunity of speaking to a then staff nurse at ANGAU Hospital in Morobe province who has endured sexual violence in the hands of criminals at her home in Lae City in February 2013.
After three years and justice hasn't prevailed yet in her case.Now with another medical specialist Late Dr Alphonse Rongap killed in the hands of criminals, the fight for justice is likely to test it's extent.
Note: The identity of the victim has been withheld in respect to the extent of physical, psychological and mental harm the incident has caused to her.
"I was shocked and lost for words when I learnt of his killing," Sr Maria (not her real name) said this in a trembling tone as she tells me about her experience of surviving a pack rape in the hands of criminals in February 2013.
"I was lucky to have survived, but not Dr Rongap. I want Justice," as Maria recalls the first few hours after her ordeal in the hands of the perpetrators. The very people in the community that she calls brothers, neighbors and friends and looks upon for security and protection.
Maria was a nursing officer at the ANGAU Hospital in Lae, Morobe province when the incident happened at her home in East Taraka.
Her colleagues at ANGAU including the hospital's board and management staged a sit-in strike and called for the culprits to be apprehended and dealt with by the law.
"I was lucky to have survived, but not Dr Rongap. I want Justice," as Maria recalls the first few hours after her ordeal in the hands of the perpetrators. The very people in the community that she calls brothers, neighbors and friends and looks upon for security and protection.
Maria was a nursing officer at the ANGAU Hospital in Lae, Morobe province when the incident happened at her home in East Taraka.
Her colleagues at ANGAU including the hospital's board and management staged a sit-in strike and called for the culprits to be apprehended and dealt with by the law.
Their protest and stop work brought health services to a complete stop with medical workers union calling on the government to protect health workers in terms of providing secured housing and other benefits to safeguard their welfare.
As Maria recalls, her battle for justice only lasted less than a month. There were assurances from the police and government MPs that the suspects will be apprehended and charged, but nothing has been confirmed to her until today.
As Maria recalls, her battle for justice only lasted less than a month. There were assurances from the police and government MPs that the suspects will be apprehended and charged, but nothing has been confirmed to her until today.
The killing of Dr Rongap Snr brings Maria three years back when she was traumatized by the inhuman acts of people who have no sense of respect for health workers.
She recalled her case was only pursued for about weeks and suspects were said to have released or have escaped from custody.
Being the youngest of four in the family, Maria grew up losing a parent and the struggle was real in her upbringing. Her small family restored hope in her over the last three years.
While the death of Dr Rongap Snr may have caused services at ANGAU to be scaled down,the government should consider a proactive approach to curb law and order issues and put a stop to all non sense rapes and killings in our society.
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