KINGSTON, Jamaica — Nurses across Jamaica joined forces Monday to demand an end to violence against women and children following last week’s brutal attack against one of their colleagues which was captured in a viral video.

In a show of solidarity, placard-bearing nurses gathered at the National Heroes Park in Kingston with similar protests taking place at hospitals and health facilities across the island including in Mandeville, Port Antonio, Savanna-la-Mar and Montego Bay.

The Nurses Association of Jamaica (NAJ), the Enrolled Nurses Association, and the Jamaica Midwives Association led the demonstrations.

“No Excuse for Violence”

Speaking at the protest, NAJ President Dawn-Marie Richards stressed that the violence experienced by women and children in Jamaica is unacceptable.

“A lot of things have been happening in recent times to our women and our children, and we find it very disheartening,” Richards said. “At this time, persons might think it’s a trigger reaction, but just to inform the public that the Nurses Association of Jamaica has, for the past 10 years, hosted a yearly walk in recognition of this issue. We ask that persons come out and support. No excuse for violence. It is not fair, the things that are happening to our women and our children.”

Richards also highlighted the physical and emotional toll faced by healthcare workers, noting that nurses often face abuse from frustrated patients and their families. She called for greater patience and respect for the profession, saying, “Today we want to say, treat us nice. Sometimes persons come with their different conditions, and we know the fears and the anxiety. But we ask for patience, not the abuse of nurses.”

Supporting a colleague in crisis

In the meantime, Claudette Clarke Waugh, president of the Enrolled Nurses Association, expressed deep concern for the nurse at the centre of the viral attack, who she confirmed is a member of her organisation.

“We come in support of our colleague because enough is enough,” Waugh said. “We’re breaking the silence because for too long, women and children have been subjects of abuse. Every year in our annual conference, we join forces with the Bureau of Gender Affairs to present on breaking the silence against domestic violence. It is so unfortunate that one of our colleagues has become a victim of a heinous crime.”

Waugh revealed that the injured nurse is suffering from significant physical trauma, including difficulty raising her hands, swelling in her face, and persistent neck pain.

“She’s going through a lot right now,” Waugh said, adding that her association has been providing ongoing spiritual, mental, and emotional support to their colleague.

Jamaica Midwives Association President Sharon Banbury-Edwards also spoke out, expressing her shock at the attack.

“I was outraged. I was like, is this real? I mean, she’s in her uniform, on her way to work. This is where we take care of our nation. And this is how you treat us? This is unacceptable. Unacceptable,” she said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr Christopher Tufton condemned the attack and called for greater respect and protection for frontline workers.

“Support for nurses, essential workers, and what that nurse suffered last week should not have occurred,” Tufton said. “When you see somebody in uniform, one of our civil servants, being attacked, it’s really an attack on society. They shouldn’t be attacked when they go to work or come from work. Their work saves our lives.”

He stressed that while healthcare workers are trained to manage difficult situations, violence against them is unacceptable.

“We have to send a strong message that they should never be alone, and that the law should take its course,” he added.

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