The union has expressed its concern over this incident, which it considers the first recorded case with a racist component directed at a nursing professional in the Canary Islands. According to SATSE, the aggression included racist references towards the professional due to their skin color, a circumstance they describe as “extremely serious”.
Although SATSE's statement did not provide specific details about the circumstances of the aggression or the identity of the aggressor, Televisión Canaria reported that the incident occurred during a dispute between two patients. This event is part of a broader context of increasing conflict in the archipelago's healthcare centers.
“"It cannot be normalized that nursing professionals work under threats, aggressions, and now also, with racist attacks."
Data provided by the union reveals a significant increase in aggressions against nursing and physiotherapy staff of the Canarian Health Service, rising from 192 cases in 2024 to 248 in 2025, representing a 29.17% increase.
In response to this situation, SATSE is considering organizing protests outside hospitals and health centers. Furthermore, it reiterates its demand to the Canarian Health Service to implement urgent security measures. Proposed actions include reinforcing security personnel, especially in high-risk areas such as emergency rooms and primary care, improving alert systems, reviewing immediate response protocols, launching awareness campaigns against violence and racism, providing more training for professionals, and applying sanctions to aggressors, along with legal support for victims.
The union also noted that the assaulted nurse “has not felt supported or accompanied at any time by the health administration.” SATSE concludes by reaffirming its “zero tolerance” policy for any type of aggression, whether physical, verbal, or discriminatory, and demands a “forceful” response from public and judicial administrations.
