Aggression against two doctors at Xirivella health center condemned

Healthcare professionals faced insults and a slap while explaining minimum services during a strike.

Generic image of a stethoscope in a health center.
IA

Generic image of a stethoscope in a health center.

The Official College of Physicians of Valencia (ICOMV) has condemned the physical and verbal assault suffered by two doctors at the Xirivella Health Center while they were carrying out their professional activities.

The incident occurred when one of the physicians went to the waiting room to inform users about the center's healthcare reorganization during a strike. The explanation of minimum services triggered a hostile reaction from several users, who hurled serious insults and personal disqualifications. Despite the intervention of health center security personnel, one individual slapped one of the physicians.
The professional body stated that "no circumstance justifies an assault, whether physical or verbal," and expressed their support for those affected, reaffirming their commitment to "Zero Tolerance" for violent behavior. They reminded that assaulting a doctor is a crime of attacking authority, punishable by up to 4 years in prison under the Penal Code.
The ICOMV warns of a worrying increase in violence against the medical sector in the province of Valencia. According to their data, 48 complaints were registered in 2025, a 17% increase from the previous year, and a 118% rise since 2020. The College encourages professionals to report any violent episode, reminding them of free legal coverage and psychological support.