Patient attacks staff

FOUR health workers were attacked by an individual who reacted violently while receiving treatment in the critical care unit of the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella.

According to a news source on Monday, June 19, a source from the medical facility confirmed that the injured members of staff included a nurse, two nursing assistants, and a warden.

They were said to have suffered various bruises as a result of the assault which occurred on Friday June 16. A call for protests to condemn these latest incidents was subsequently made by the various health facilities in the municipality.

From the moment the incident occurred, the protocol for attacks on healthcare professionals at the centre was initiated. Any type of aggression, whether physical or verbal, that is shown against professionals is firmly condemned and rejected by this hospital and its attached centres. It should be noted that attacks in public health centres in the province of Malaga continue to rise. Data from the Andalucian Health Service (SAS) provided to the unions corresponding to all of 2022 showed a 43 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

A total of 187 incidents were registered in 2020, which rose to 268 in 2022. According to these figures, in that period, 62 physical attacks occurred, equivalent to 23 per cent of the total. Another 77 per cent were verbal attacks, totalling 206.

Flamingo colony deserting wetlands

THOUSANDS of flamingos normally hatch their chicks annually in a popular saltwater lagoon in southern Spain.

This year however, due to the ongoing drought conditions affecting large parts of the country the exotic birds have been forced to seek an alterna tive location as the water levels diminish.

In 1984, the Fuente de Piedra lagoon and its surrounding wetlands in Malaga Province were declared a natural reserve.

Tourists regularly flock to the region to observe these beautiful birds in the wild but those who made the trip recently have been disappointed to see barely a few dozen of them in attendance.

According to official data, this spring in Spain has been the hottest one since 1961, with 28 per cent less rain falling than normal. On top of that, the weather experts are predicting a very hot summer.

According to Andalucia’s Agriculture office, in excess of 200,000 flamingo chicks have hatched at the lagoon.

Fuente de Piedra lagoon is the largest in all of Andalucia, covering approximately 1,400 hectares of land. Its previous flamingo population was recognised as the largest colony to be found anywhere on the Iberian peninsula, according to the Junta de Andalucia.

It is one of a group of lagoons in the Antequera area of Malaga Province, which includes other nature reserves that between them cover approximately 3,000 hectares.

Other regular visitors during the migratory periods are various birds of prey and the sandpiper.

Betty Henderson

IN a heartwarming display of support, Rotary Mijas International paid a visit to the headquarters of the Association for Alzheimer’s Patients (AFA) in Mijas on Monday, June 12.

Sharing their appreciation for the association’s tireless efforts in caring for both Spanish and international patients, the Rotary Club commended AFA and its volunteers for their dedication in serving the community.

During the visit, Rotary Mijas International had the honour of contributing to AFA’s cause. They donated one month’s worth of breakfast supplies and funds to cover the monthly costs of a physiotherapist and nurse.