The Republic of Ireland’s Health Service Executive (HSE) has strongly condemned recent incidents of racist abuse and assaults against healthcare workers and the public.
It follows a spate of racist attacks across the country, primarily targeting members of the Indian community.
“People should not be afraid to leave their house or go to work for fear of abuse”
Anne Marie Hoey
The violence prompted the Indian Embassy to advise its citizens in Ireland to “take reasonable precautions for their personal safety and avoid deserted areas”.
In a statement, the HSE said effective running of many essential health services would be “seriously threatened” without the contribution of international staff working in its hospital and community services.
International workers make up more than 15% of the entire HSE workforce, while nurses and midwives from India, Africa and other Asian countries account for 23% of HSE nurses and midwives.
Anne Marie Hoey, chief people officer of the HSE, said, “The HSE unequivocally condemns all incidents of racist abuse and assaults of people from abroad, their families and the wider community.
“It is unacceptable. People should not be afraid to leave their house or go to work for fear of abuse.”
Ms Hoey said the HSE was “proud of our organisation’s diversity” and relied on all staff for the delivery of frontline and essential services.
She added: “We are deeply grateful to international workers who have chosen to move their lives and families to Ireland to work with the HSE and help provide essential care and support for patients.
“We are saddened to hear reports that some international staff, now fearful for their personal safety, are considering moving away.
“This will have a dramatic impact on staff levels and the provision of health services and should be a cause for alarm for people in this country.”
Last week, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation condemned recent attacks in the strongest terms, describing them as horrific.
Earlier this year, a wave of racist crime took place in neighbouring Northern Ireland, condemned by nurse leaders as “blatant acts of racist thuggery”.
Chief nursing officer for Northern Ireland, Professor Maria McIlgorm, said at the time that it was “nothing short of shameful”.
