Jorge Pimenta, coordinator of the National Health Service (SNS) Security Office, stated that healthcare institutions "are not places for healthcare professionals to be assaulted" and "should be sanctuaries." The statement was made during the 1st "Security and Health" Meeting, organized by the PSP and SESARAM.
Pimenta advocated for a message of "zero tolerance for violence" and emphasized the importance of prevention, also urging the reporting of cases to facilitate resolution. On the mainland, an average of 10 daily cases of violence occur in healthcare, a significantly lower number in Madeira, according to the official.
Preventive measures include improving working conditions, administrative processes, and legislation enforcement, alongside training for behavioral change. The State has increased criminal penalties for crimes against healthcare professionals, with most of these crimes being public offenses.
