Demonstration against violence on health workers, ‘we are afraid’

(ANSA) – BARI, 16 SEPTEMBER – “I work shifts in the continuity of care and I am often alone at night in peripheral locations. We are afraid to work in these conditions. I will not hide the fact that I too have often been the victim of threats and attacks”. This is what Alessandra Manzi, a doctor from Foggia present at the demonstration underway in the capital of Daunia against violence against healthcare workers, said. Giuseppe Cartagena, a specialist doctor, explains that during the medical emergency service “we are threatened and attacked by patients; this is because those who come to us often demand services that we cannot provide. And it is useless to explain why. So often there are demands made insistently, with insults and threats. And this is not acceptable. We are professionals and this is how we would like to be treated. I must add that, despite all the structural difficulties and staff shortages, the service that is offered in the area is excellent”. Dr. Francesca Pastorino also recalls being “threatened and attacked: I was on duty at a provincial health care continuity service when a patient with psychiatric problems attacked me while I was talking to him. We often find ourselves in a borderline situation. When we work we also have to keep under control the emotions that could be triggered by the accusations, the insults we receive”. (ANSA).