Doctor ‘traumatised’ after being assaulted and racially abused at Limerick hospital

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched into the assault of a Pakistani doctor, as he was about to start his shift at the University Hospital Limerick (UHL) emergency department (ED).

Dr Asif Iqbal, 31, was in his scrubs, walking towards the ED in Dooradoyle, when a man punched him in the back from behind and, he said, told him to go back to his own country.

Gardai have launched a probe into the incident, which took place last Sunday, August 31, just before 10am, while staff at UHL were rallying around the doctor, who came to Limerick in 2022.

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"I was wearing my scruffs, walking towards the ED. I was in my own world. And suddenly, he came from behind. He pushed me very hard and said some bad words. I don't want to repeat it, but it was abusive language. Go back to your own country. He pushed me from my back," said Dr Iqbal.

"I did not fall down as I am a tall man, but two security guards were on the scene. They asked the man why he was attacking me. They pointed out I was a doctor. But if I was not in scrubs, and was just a regular person, it's still not acceptable," said the father-of-one.

As a result of the incident, Dr Iqbal has had to take time off work with injuries to his back.

Originally from Lahore in Pakistan, he is married and his wife is also a doctor, and they have a baby daughter.

Gardai were called to UHL following the attack, but the man who assaulted Dr Iqbal then broke down in tears, and began to beg for forgiveness.

In a remarkable show of empathy, the medic, who specialises in paediatrics, went to comfort the man who had minutes earlier attacked him.

"The man who attacked me was a bit lost. I asked the gardai and security guards not to take it further. I tried to console him, I told him not to worry, to stop crying. I don't l know why he did it, I think he realised he made a big mistake. In our profession, we are used to empathising with patients and people. That's why I tried to console him. If he was having some issues, I was hoping to help him," Dr Iqbal told Limerick Live.

Following the incident, Dr Iqbal actually continued to work in the ED that day.

"I was very shaken. All day, I was very upset. I asked my colleagues if I could take an hour or two of rest. But I know the ED is very short of staff. So I continued to work, but I asked to see patients who had very straight forward issues. The whole day, my mind was shocked, and I was very traumatised. I never expected that - it came from nowhere," he said.

In his three years in Ireland, working at UHL and University Hospital Kerry, Dr Iqbal says he has not experienced any racism to himself personally prior to this.

But, he admits, this has changed his perspective.

"I have never thought of leaving Limerick. I've always thought of Limerick as my home. But I am really thinking to change my mind. I have options to go to different countries. I am traumatised, and my wife is feeling it too. It's been quite emotional," he added.

The doctor said he felt he would be fine after a couple of days of rest away from UHL.

"But it came to my mind - there are so many people who pass through the ED. If someone can attack me in a hospital, what would they do outside," he asked.

Local councillor Azad Talukder, who has been in contact with Dr Iqbal, says following this incident, he has had phone calls from medical staff from Limerick's immigrant community.

"They are all very terrified. They feel unsafe themselves. I was shocked when I heard about this. With doctors, they work to save our lives and serve our community. I feel a lot of shame to see this happen in the hospital, in a working place. It's a place where people work to save lives - yet their own lives are under threat," said the Fianna Fail councillor.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana confirmed they received a report of the assault, and investigations are ongoing.

A representative of UHL added they were also aware of the probe, and it would not be appropriate for them to comment while this is ongoing.

"Our priority is the wellbeing of our staff member, and we are continuing to offer them our full support. The safety and wellbeing of our staff and patients is always our priority. We maintain a 24/7 security presence in our ED and work closely with gardai in Roxboro as part of the local Hospital Watch programme to help keep everyone safe," they added.

"Our teams work tirelessly to care for others, and they deserve to feel safe, respected and supported at all times."