site.btaOnly Two Sentences Issued For Assaulting A Medical Professional In the Last Two Years

107 POLITICS - DOCTORS UNION - ANTI-VIOLENCE CAMPAIGN

Only Two Sentences Issued
For Assaulting A Medical Professional
In the Last Two Years


Sofia, February 19 (BTA) - Over the past two years, there have been only two effective sentences for assaulting medical practitioners, said Dr. Ivan Madjarov, Chairman of the Bulgarian Medical Association, on Tuesday. Only one person has been convicted in the 2014-2016 period. Health Ministry Data shows that since the beginning of 2019 there have been 114 cases of verbal and 8 cases of physical assault in emergency centers. Some of the affected medics have already quit their jobs, Dr. Madjarov added.

"Aggression towards medical professionals must be tackled without compromise. We insist that institutions be as strict as possible, without taking mitigating circumstances into account," said Dr. Madjarov.

Deputy Minister of Health Boyko Penkov recalled that the Health Ministry has a signed agreement with the Prosecution Office and an order from the Chief Prosecutor to create an algorithm and take immediate action against anyone who has assaulted a medical professional.

The Bulgarian Medical Association is reopening its national campagn for raising awareness of the violence against medics under the slogan "Positive Words are Healing". The initiative is also supported by Ombudsman Maya Manolova. RY/DT