Experts Warn of Rising Violence Against Greek Doctors and Nurses

Speakers at a seminar organised by the Thessaloniki Medical Association (ISM) warned of an alarming rise in violence against doctors and nurses, creating widespread insecurity in healthcare settings. The event took place on the morning of [date not specified] at the ISM headquarters.

Nikos Nitsas, president of ISM, stressed the urgent need to eliminate all incidents of violence in medical facilities. He noted that this problem affects healthcare professionals across Europe and highlighted the establishment of the European Day Against Violence Toward Doctors and Nurses on 12 March.

Athanasios Exadaktylos, former president of the Panhellenic Medical Association, said that globally a healthcare worker loses their life every day due to violence. He cited hospitals in South America and Central Asia that employ armed guards to protect staff. Despite the 2024 legislation introducing automatic prosecution for attacks against medical personnel, Exadaktylos emphasised that additional security measures remain necessary.

Legal adviser Vangelis Katsikis added that violence against doctors is not unique to Greece. He criticised the inconsistent application of existing laws, stressing that hospital administrations must report incidents rather than leaving responsibility solely to individual doctors. Katsikis called for the creation of a dedicated Observatory to monitor and address violent incidents, arguing that awareness is essential for effective prevention.

Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Vasilis Floridis attributed the rise in hospital violence to post-dictatorship populism, which he said has led to lawlessness. He criticised the 2024 legislative measure as incomplete, calling it “inadequate.” Floridis proposed that offences against healthcare personnel should always be treated as immediate-action crimes, with offenders prosecuted and penalised without delay, ensuring that sentences are enforced without suspension.

The 2024 legislative framework, supported by both the Panhellenic Medical Association and ISM, came into effect on 1 May 2024. The ISM has previously organised similar awareness events and continues to advocate for zero tolerance against violence in healthcare, highlighting the growing risks despite doctors’ extraordinary efforts and ongoing structural challenges such as staff shortages and exhaustion from extended shifts.