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Healthcare workers in Andalucía are facing more than one assault every day in public health centres, according to new figures released to mark the European Day against Attacks on Healthcare Professionals on March 12.

 

Data from the Computerised Registry of Aggressions in Healthcare Centres (RIAC) shows that during 2025 a total of 1,976 incidents were recorded across the region’s public healthcare system. Of these, 387 were physical assaults, representing 19.6% of the total, while 1,589 involved verbal threats or other forms of non-physical aggression.

 

The statistics reveal that the problem is widespread across the healthcare network. Just over half of the incidents, 51.37%, occurred in primary care centres, while the remaining 48.63% were reported in hospitals.

 

Seville recorded the highest number of cases, with 569 assaults, including 107 physical attacks and 462 non-physical incidents. Málaga followed with 310 cases, while Cádiz reported 282. Other provinces also saw significant numbers, including Granada with 201 cases, Almería with 184, Córdoba with 173, Jaén with 162 and Huelva with 95.

 

The figures were released as the Andalusian regional government used the European awareness day to underline its stance on violence against healthcare staff. Antonio Sanz, the regional minister for the Presidency, Interior, Social Dialogue and Administrative Simplification, said protecting medical professionals remains a key priority.

 

This data also come after previous research highlighted wider concerns about safety and harassment faced by healthcare workers in Spain’s health system.

 

“Defending and protecting those who care for the health of the public is an absolute priority for the Andalusian Government,” he said in a statement. “We will not tolerate any attacks on our healthcare professionals.”

 

Authorities say reporting incidents is essential to tackling the problem. “Reporting is key to activating protection protocols, reinforcing preventative measures and improving security in our healthcare centres,” Sanz added.

 

Officials also highlighted that physical assaults or serious threats against healthcare workers performing public duties are legally classified as crimes of assault against public officials, underlining the seriousness of these acts.

 

The data also shows that mental health issues play a role in some incidents. More than 21% of all assaults, specifically 21.31%, involved individuals with mental health problems or cognitive impairment. When looking only at physical attacks, that proportion rises to 48.58%.

 

Despite this, the regional government has reiterated that it maintains a strict stance against any form of violence in medical settings, with a policy of “zero tolerance.”

 

“Healthcare professionals deserve to be able to do their work in peace and with the support of the entire community,” Sanz said. “Their safety is a priority, and we will continue strengthening all necessary measures to protect them.”

 

 

Image: digital representation