Violence against Sis 118 operators on the rise: a growing alarm
In recent weeks, there has been a surge in brutal attacks against the crews of the Territorial Emergency System 118. This alarming trend was reported by the national president of SIS 118, Mario Balzanelli. Unfortunately, there is no precise statistical data available on these incidents. However, to address this issue, a dedicated section will be created on the Society’s website where all acts of violence can be reported from across Italy to ensure effective reporting.
What is particularly concerning, as reported to ANSA, is that “not all offenders are being prosecuted, despite this being required by law.” Furthermore, the anti-violence law passed in 2020 has not improved the situation.
Balzanelli, who also announced a major awareness campaign, highlighted that 118 operators represent the category of healthcare professionals “most victimized by violence,” yet they are not included in discussions regarding this emergency.
Among the recent cases of violent incidents is one that occurred on Sunday, March 3rd, in Foggia: “Two 118 operators, a driver-paramedic and a nurse, were attacked and forced to lock themselves inside the ambulance, call the Carabinieri (Italian military police), and flee as a car attempted to ram into their vehicle.”
On the same day, in Maddaloni, in the province of Caserta, a nurse was “grabbed by the throat, thrown against the shutter, and heavily insulted at a SET 118 station. The nurse and the paramedic-driver had to lock themselves inside the ambulance and call the Carabinieri.”
Another incident took place on Friday, March 8th, in Tissi, Sardinia, when a patient bit the lower leg of a paramedic-driver, slapped one rescuer, and kicked another in the chest. On Saturday, March 9th, in Pescara, an nurse and a paramedic-driver were kicked, punched, and slapped by a patient, the patient’s son, and a friend of the patient.
“We strongly denounce this absurd situation, and for years now, we have been forced to acknowledge that our indignation and complaints alone do not yield any results,” declares Balzanelli. Although in 2020, the legislature passed Law 113 on August 14th, “Provisions on safety for healthcare professionals while performing their duties,” which stipulates that injuries inflicted on healthcare professionals constitute an aggravating circumstance that increases penalties, almost four years since its approval, this law has not had any positive effect in reducing attacks against healthcare workers. Furthermore, the aggressions against the personnel of the Territorial Emergency System 118 have actually increased significantly.
Balzanelli emphasizes the need for a national legislative reform that significantly strengthens the 118 System. However, he believes it is urgent to launch a strong awareness campaign as the Italian Society for the 118 System aimed at countering these attacks by fostering greater awareness among the general public.
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