Stab-Resistant Vests Purchased for Polish Paramedics

The Polish Ministry of Health has confirmed that knife- and spike-resistant vests have been procured for medical rescue teams and will be distributed to ambulances in the coming weeks.

Rollout of protective equipment

Deputy Minister of Health Katarzyna Kacperczyk announced that the specialized vests have been purchased and medical rescue stations are currently coordinating delivery schedules. The equipment is expected to be available in all ambulances within the next few weeks.

While the original deadline for outfitting ambulances was repeatedly postponed, the ministry intends to expedite the distribution. The vests, which are being supplied by the Government Agency for Strategic Reserves, feature adjustable sizes and verified safety certifications.

Security concerns and union opposition

Piotr Dymon, head of the National Trade Union of Paramedics, stated that current regulations do not mandate when the vests must be worn, leaving that decision to individual rescue teams. Dymon criticized the policy of keeping vests in the vehicle rather than issuing them individually to paramedics, noting that threats often emerge only after teams arrive on the scene.

Recent violent incidents, including a knife attack at a hospital in Jastrzębie-Zdrój and the deaths of medical personnel in Siedlce and Krakow, have intensified the push for better protection. The government has responded by increasing prison sentences for assaulting healthcare workers and launching self-defense training programs for staff.

Legislative changes and training initiatives

New penal regulations effective since January 2026 now carry sentences of three months to five years for assaulting medical personnel. Furthermore, prosecutors have been instructed to treat such aggression as a priority, ensuring that penalties are strictly enforced.

As part of a long-term safety strategy, mandatory self-defense training for paramedics has been in place since July 2025. Supported by EU funding, the Ministry of Health is expanding these de-escalation and defense programs to include broader medical staff through 2029.