2,897 attacks reported by doctors in 2023

(ANSA) - ROME, OCT 16 - 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. (ANSA).