Bellevue Hospital nurses add voices to condemnation of violence against women and children
Published:Wednesday | May 28, 2025 | 1:40 PM
Nurses and other staff members at Bellevue Hospital in Kingston this morning joined the recent wave of protests denouncing violence against women and children.
“Today we are showing solidarity not just to nurses, but to our women across the length and breadth of Jamaica,” Suzette Buchanan, Chief Executive Officer at the medical institution, said.
The nationwide protests started on May 19, stemming from the shocking assault of a nurse by a man in a road rage incident. Footage of the incident showed him manhandling the nurse, and even stepping on her head.
The situation has ignited a firestorm of anger, with citizens and activists alike calling for an end to the widespread violence against women. Scores of nurses rallied in the Corporate Area on May 19 to demand action. Similar demonstrations took place on Monday in Portland, St Catherine, St James, St Ann and St Mary.
Yesterday, public health workers in St James staged a protest in Sam Sharpe Square, Montego Bay.
The police have charged 65-year-old businessman Robert Bell with multiple offences in relation to the incident, including assault occasioning bodily harm, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and possession of a firearm with intent to commit an offence.
He was remanded in custody until July 9 when he appeared in court last Wednesday.
“We are standing with our nurses, they are the caregivers, you cannot ill treat our caregivers. We are saying to Jamaica let us take better care of our women in general, let us take better care of our nurses, because we depend on them,” Buchanan added.
Meanwhile, Acting Departmental Nurse Manager at Bellevue Hospital, Beretta Thomas, said she is urging more Jamaicans to stand in solidarity against the abuse of women and children.
“We are anticipating the support of the nation so that we can stem the abuse that is occurring in our country,” she said.
-Sashana Small
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