Nurse Accused of Molesting Patient Under Guise of Medical Exam

The disciplinary department of the Civil Service Commission has filed charges against Mohamed Sanaallah, a nurse at Rambam Health Care Campus in Haifa. The charges, submitted to the Jerusalem Labor Court, accuse Sanaallah of committing indecent acts against a female patient hospitalized in the urology department. The alleged incident occurred between February 5 and 8, 2024. According to the indictment, on the first night of her hospitalization, around 1:00 AM, Sanaallah entered the patient's room, drew the privacy curtain, and began tending to her IV. He then asked if she was experiencing pain, and when she indicated abdominal pain, he instructed her to lower her pants. The indictment claims he then pressed on her body under her shirt, repeatedly asking "Here?" He proceeded to touch her chest and then her genital area, instructing her to lower her underwear. The patient complied, believing it was part of a medical examination to diagnose her pain.

The Commission alleges Sanaallah acted for sexual gratification, exploiting his position and deceiving the patient into believing the acts were medically necessary. He is charged with indecent assault under circumstances of fraudulently obtained consent, as well as unbecoming conduct and violating civil service discipline. Rambam Health Care Campus stated that the employee's employment was terminated several months ago following an internal disciplinary process. The hospital also noted that the designated officer for preventing sexual harassment informed the complainant of all her options, including filing a police complaint, but she opted for the disciplinary proceedings that have now concluded.