A reported 2,897 doctors were
attacked in 2023, nearly eight every day, according to a survey
carried out by the National federation of doctors and dentists
guilds (Fnomceo) published on Wednesday.
The survey was based on a questionnaire sent by Fnomceo to its
480,000 members.
The figure was presented by the federation's president Filippo
Anelli to the Senate's justice committee as part of a debate for
the conversion into law of a decree approved by the government
last month aimed at curbing violence against medical
professionals.
"Only the most serious and striking episodes of violence make
the news while" all other cases "risk not being recognized",
said Anelli, who said a total of 16,000 cases of physical and
verbal attacks against healthcare operators were reported as
well as damage against hospital properties last year.
Overall, some 18,000 medical professionals were involved, he
said.
"Violence is never 'normal', never inevitable" and "safety on
the job is every worker's right", he noted.
Anelli said safety for medical professionals, in particular,
"must be guaranteed twice, also as a precondition for the safety
of care", noting that the Fnomceo had considered the measure
"positive".
The government last month upped jail time for people attacking
medical staff to a maximum of five years as part of the decree
aimed at addressing a wave of assaults on doctors and other
hospital personnel across Italy.
The measure also provides for those who commit violence against
staff mandatory arrest in flagrante delicto, with the
possibility of deferring arrest for up to 48 hours.
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