A resident doctor in Family and Community Medicine suffered a nasal fracture last Sunday after being assaulted by a patient in the Villanueva del Rosario clinic. The man demanded a prescription for medication without prior medical assessment.
A resident doctor in Family and Community Medicine has suffered a fracture of the nasal bones after being assaulted last Sunday in the Villanueva del Rosario clinic, in the Antequera region. The man, who visited the clinic, demanded a prescription for medication and, upon receiving the explanation that a medical assessment was necessary first, reacted by hitting her in the face.
Protest in Antequera
Healthcare professionals from the North Health Area of Málaga gathered on Tuesday at the doors of the Antequera Estación Health Centre to express their rejection of violence against healthcare staff and to show their support for the doctor. The event was attended by workers from various centres, management teams, and representatives from the Health Department, who advocated for the need to ensure a safe environment for healthcare workers.
The mayor of Antequera, Manuel Barón, also participated in the protest accompanied by members of his government team, as well as the territorial delegate for Health of the Junta de Andalucía in Málaga, Carlos Bautista, and the manager of the North Hospital Area, Belén Jiménez.
Barón expressed the city's solidarity with the victim and reminded that “those who care for the public deserve respect and protection, insisting that no circumstances justify such behaviour.”
The anti-violence plan in action
The North Health Area of Málaga has reminded that any aggression, whether physical or verbal, is incompatible with the provision of healthcare. It has reiterated its commitment to implement the measures outlined in the Prevention and Attention Plan against Aggressions of the Public Health System of Andalucía to protect professionals and offer them support.
The assault has once again highlighted the vulnerability of healthcare staff in rural clinics, where they often work alone and without sufficient security measures. According to data from the Andalusian plan, assaults on healthcare workers have increased in recent years, with a particular incidence in primary care.
Residents of Villanueva del Rosario, a municipality of about 3,500 inhabitants, have shown their solidarity with the assaulted doctor. The physician, who is in the process of recovery, has received support from her colleagues and the management of the health area, which has provided her with psychological and legal assistance.
The incident has sparked a debate about the need to strengthen security in health centres, especially in local clinics where staff work alone. The medical union has requested the installation of alert systems and the presence of security personnel during peak hours.
The protest on Tuesday concluded with a minute of silence in memory of all victims of healthcare assaults and with a commitment to continue working to eradicate violence in the workplace.
You may also like
