Safety stepped up after sexual attack on Bueng Kan hospital worker

The female nurse was physically and sexually molested by a teenager who turned up at a tambon-level health promotion hospital in Bueng Kan province at about 9.30pm on Saturday complaining of a headache. 
The victim put up a fierce struggle, managing to escape her attacker and lock herself in a room before calling police. She was not raped. 
Health Academics Club of Thailand secretary-general Rizkee Sara said yesterday that the attack during the Songkran holiday was the third reported sexual assault on a health professional in under two years. “So it’s high time that the Public Health Ministry improve safety measures.” 
He suggested that hospitals, no matter how small, should have CCTV cameras and there should always be more than one staff member on duty at all times.
Dr Kiattibhoom Vongrachit, deputy permanent secretary for Public Health, said his ministry would review safety measures to protect staff from this kind of attack. 
“We are saddened by what happened,” he said.
Kiattibhoom said all provincial public health chiefs had been instructed to enforce strict safety measures for staff who had to work beyond normal business hours. 
Following Saturday’s incident, Bueng Kan public health chief Dr Wissanu Wittayabamrung barred female staff from working late hours. In the event of emergency cases occurring outside normal hours, male staff must be present during the delivery of services and hospital directors must be notified.
Directors of tambon-level health promotion hospitals have also been told to coordinate with police to ensure patrols of their facilities.
Wissanu said the victim of the attack in Bueng Kan was in hospital and receiving counselling. “Physically, her condition is relatively good, but psychologically she needs rehabilitation. Psychologists are on hand to help her.” A team was also seeking compensation for her. He said he would help the woman secure a post elsewhere if she wished. 
Police have already arrested the 17-year-old alleged attacker. He has reportedly confessed to the crime.