A startling incident unfolded at Newark Beth Israel Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, causing an uproar among the public. The alleged assault by Firdousi Abdul-Hakim resulted in a tragic event that led to the hospitalization of three staff members.
The distressing event occurred on a Friday morning within the pediatric intensive care unit of the hospital. Firdousi Abdul-Hakim, a 37-year-old visitor, reportedly engaged in a dispute that spiraled into a violent altercation, leading to the injury of two nurses and a medical student. Reports state that amid the chaos, Firdousi Abdul-Hakim wielded a sharp weapon, causing lacerations to the victims. The motivation behind this alleged assault remains unclear, although it appears to have stemmed from a disagreement over the number of visitors present.
Newark’s Director of Public Safety, Fritz Fragé, confirmed multiple charges against Firdousi Abdul-Hakim, including unlawful possession of a weapon and aggravated assault. The hospital verified that no patients or their families were harmed during this distressing incident. While the victims’ identities remain undisclosed by authorities, they received prompt medical attention for minor injuries in the hospital’s emergency room.
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center (NBIMC), a pivotal 665-bed tertiary care facility in the RWJBarnabas Health System, serves Newark and the Northern Jersey region. Affiliated with Rutgers University’s New Jersey Medical School, NBIMC caters to both adult and pediatric emergency services, often handling critical cases referred from the nearby University Hospital.
According to witnesses, Firdousi Abdul-Hakim, visiting a patient in the pediatric intensive care unit, allegedly resorted to violence following a disagreement, injuring three healthcare workers around 7 a.m. The victims sustained lacerations but were reportedly in stable condition after receiving treatment at the hospital’s emergency department.
The accused individual, Firdousi A. Abdul-Hakim, was promptly taken into custody and now faces charges including aggravated assault and illegal possession of a weapon. The prompt response of hospital security and Newark Police prevented further casualties among patients or their families during this harrowing incident.
The incident prompted discussions about safety measures within the hospital, with claims surfacing on social media regarding prior concerns expressed by non-unionized nursing staff. Friday’s unfortunate event underscores the need for enhanced safety protocols to ensure the well-being of hospital employees and patients alike.
