Naples, asks for payment of ticket: radiology technician attacked

Naples. A serious episode of violence occurred in a well-known hospital in the city, where a Medical Radiology Technician was attacked while doing her job.

According to a note from the Order of Health Professions, the episode occurred in recent days, when the professional, working in a city clinic, was the target of insults, threats and beatings for simply asking for payment of the ticket before performing a diagnostic test.

The timely intervention of the security guards and the police prevented the situation from degenerating further.

“We express our utmost solidarity and closeness to our colleague,” declared Franco Ascolese, president of the Order. “These episodes are an attack not only on the individual operator, but on all healthcare personnel, from doctors to nurses and technicians of other professions, who work on the front lines every day to ensure public health.”

A growing and worrying phenomenon

President Ascolese underlined how this is a "drift of incivility" that is being fought also through new rules that offer greater protection. However, some critical issues remain: "The ex officio prosecution, for example, is triggered only in the case of a prognosis of more than 20 days, but often this limit is not exceeded thanks to the timely intervention of the police. However, deep traumas remain that mark the operators and the entire health system".

According to Ascolese, it is essential to strengthen both prevention and protection measures. "Those who suffer this violence often pay a very high price in silence, having to face very serious psychological and professional consequences. An educational and cultural response is needed, as well as a repressive one."

Projects for prevention and support

To stem the phenomenon, the Order of Health Professions has launched, together with the Valetudo foundation, a project aimed at enhancing the role of Health Assistants and Educators, focusing on prevention and awareness. In addition, some health companies, such as Cardarelli, have already launched competitions for the hiring of new professionals.

"We appeal to the institutions responsible for social policies to intervene on the roots of this violence, investigating the social fabric that fuels it. As an Order, we will guarantee maximum support to the assaulted colleague, so that she is not left alone."

The numbers of attacks: an alarming phenomenon

According to data collected by the association " Nessuno tocchi Ippocrate," there have already been 51 incidents of violence in Naples since the beginning of the year, a number that rises to 70 if the entire province is included. Although harsher penalties have been introduced and new police stations have been opened at several hospitals—including Ospedale del Mare, San Paolo, Cardarelli, Santobono, and those in Giugliano and Castellammare—the phenomenon shows no signs of abating, remaining in line with the previous year's figures.

The episode in Naples is yet another alarm bell on a problem that requires urgent intervention, not only on a regulatory level but also on a cultural level, to guarantee the safety of those who dedicate themselves every day to protecting public health.