Costa Blanca

In Alicante province, attacks on doctors have increased by 37%

In Spain, a doctor is attacked every ten hours. Although there are fewer attacks in the province of Alicante, the issue is becoming more prevalent. In fact, the number of these incidents (both verbal and physical) increased by 37% in 2024 as compared to the previous year.

The Official College of Physicians of Alicante (COMA), which received 26 allegations of assaults on physicians (while doing their duties) last year, published these numbers. Males made up 58% of the victims, with the majority being under 35.

Additionally, there were more physical assaults—5 occurrences compared to the 2 in 2023—and threats and coercion against doctors in their workplace—16 compared to the 13 that were reported to the College the year before. verbal abuse, to which the five notifications for harassment and insults must be added.

The majority of these violent incidents—24, or 92% of the total—took place in the public system. 65% of the attacks reported by the COMA in 2024 occurred in health centres and primary care emergency departments, continuing the trend of prior years that shows this to be the most violent and dangerous medical setting for physicians.

In the province of Alicante, the aggressor typically takes the form of a guy under 40 who is either a patient or a friend. Regarding the reasons behind the attacks, the most prominent ones are the disparities in the medical care that was given and the failure to provide the patient’s recommended medication.

Dr. José Manuel Peris, the Secretary General of the COMA, notes that although more doctors are reporting violent incidents they see too frequently, “these figures do not reflect the magnitude of the problem.” Many more attacks go unreported due of fear of potential retaliation, exhaustion from the copious paperwork necessary, the sluggishness of the legal system, or the absurd penalties that complaints frequently result in.

“We need stronger penalties, as well as a specific law against assaults on healthcare personnel, as already exists in other Autonomous Communities, and on-site reporting,” states the general secretary of COMA.

“Of course, threats and coercion, but also insults and humiliation, must never occur, and this must be made clear to the aggressors,” Dr. Peris says, urging his fellow medical professionals to always report any aggression. We run the risk of internalising and normalising them, which is not an option, and doctors do not deserve them. You must report them to the COMA and the police since remaining silent about the aggressions is tantamount to endorsing them.

Workshops on prevention

As part of the celebration of the “European Day against Attacks on Doctors and Health Professionals” on March 12th, the Medical Union of the Valencian Community (CESM-CV) and the Alicante Medical Association will collaborate with the Alicante Command’s Civil Guard and the National Police of the Alicante Provincial Police Station to host two workshops on self-defence and prevention techniques.

Inspector D. Vicente Romero, the Provincial Police Territorial Health Interlocutor’s working team, will conduct the first practical session. Next Wednesday, March 12th, at 1:00 p.m., the meeting will take place in the Juan XXIII Health Center’s assembly hall. The agents will give the center’s medical staff specialised training in this workshop to help them steer clear of dangerous circumstances.

This year marks the first time the COMA and the Civil Guard have collaborated on a workshop. The Santa Pola Health Centre was selected as the location. On March 25th, the Guardia Civil’s Police-Health Interlocutor, Lieutenant José Agustín Serna of the Alicante Command Headquarters, and his team will conduct a hands-on training for medical professionals.

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Related Topics:Abuse Alicante Attacks Community Emergency Harassment Health National Police Province Public Spain

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Costa Blanca

Elche renews the five blue flags on its beaches

The five Blue Flags at Arenales del Sol, Carabassí, El Altet, La Marina, and Les Pesqueres-El Rebollo have been renewed by the Elche City Council.

Tourism Councillor Irene Ruiz expressed her enthusiasm for the awards’ renewal, emphasising that “Elche’s beaches are the stars once again this year.” She also emphasised that this distinction underscores the quality, management, services, and safety that all of the beaches provide.

Annually, the Association for Environmental and Consumer Education (ADEAC) awards blue flags as one of the quality and environmental certification distinctions. This designation is based on a variety of criteria, including environmental management, water quality, swimmer safety, beach services, and environmental information and education.

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The towns with the highest crime rate in Alicante province

Although the Ministry of the Interior’s most recent data indicates a slight decrease in crime in Spain during 2024, the Crime Report also documents an increase in certain serious crimes, including intentional homicides and completed murders, which have increased by 4.5%, and sexual assaults with penetration, which have increased by 6.7%.

In comparison to the conventional crime rate, this amounts to 41.0 crimes per thousand inhabitants. Additionally, the report offers a detailed analysis of the various offences and the number of reported cases in each municipality. Statistics in the province of Alicante set it apart.

In 2024, the city of Alicante in the Valencian Community province was the municipality with the highest crime rate, with a total of 20,577 cases recorded. Following it are Torrevieja with 8,337, Elche with 8,132, and Benidorm with 5,167. Nevertheless, it is crucial to bear in mind that the provincial capital has a significantly higher population than the remainder of the municipality.

Kidnapping is one of the most egregious crimes in this region. In the province of Alicante, there were 8 of the 13 cases that occurred throughout the Valencian Community. Alicante reported three cases, Benidorm reported one, Calp reported one, Pilar de la Horadada reported one, Crevillent reported one, and Torrevieja reported one.

The province reported a total of 1,145 cases of narcotic trafficking. Last year, Benidorm reported 171 cases of this form of crime, making it the second most notable town after Alicante, which reported 352 cases. There are also villages and cities where fewer than 10 cases have been reported, including Calp (2), Ibi (3), Sant Joan d’Alacant (4), Novelda (4), Villajoyosa (6), Almoradí (7), Mutxamel (7), Alcoy (8 cases), Petrer (8), and San Vicente del Raspeig (9).

The province has a total of 1,008 transgressions against sexual freedom, as listed in the Interior Ministry report. This category encompasses sexual assault and abuse that involves penetration, with a total of 222 cases reported last year. Villena, Petrer, and Ibi are among the municipalities that have not recorded any cases. However, Alicante, Elche, and Benidorm have higher numbers: 52, 30, and 19 cases, respectively.

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Torrevieja will celebrate the Europe Day Gala tomorrow

A special Gala to commemorate Europe Day 2025 is being organised at the International Auditorium by the Department of the Presidency and the Department of International Residents of the Torrevieja City Council. The Torrevieja Symphony Orchestra Ensemble will be responsible for the institutional portion of the event, which will include the European Union anthem. Additionally, the Gala will feature performances by several local performers, including Zhanel and the group Sincopa (all from Ukraine), who will entertain us with Eurovision songs. Siempre Disco Remember will conclude the Gala, featuring a medley of tracks from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s.

The 7:30 p.m. gala is scheduled to take place at the Torrevieja International Auditorium this Friday, May 9th. Tickets are available for free with an invitation and can be reserved and downloaded from culturatorrevieja.com.

The Torrevieja City Council will provide a complimentary transport service from Calle Faleria to the International Auditorium, which will depart at 6:30 p.m. and return at the conclusion of the event.