THE doctors from the province of Catania they take stock of the birth rate, highlighting a critical situation and suggesting interventions to reverse the trend. Among others, apply i new Leas (Essential levels of assistance), approve the guidelines on fertility treatment, establish Community Houses, integrate the PMA (medically assisted procreation) in the territory, encouraging parenthood in a secular way. The comparison was stimulated by the conference organized byOrder of surgeons and dentists of Catania. With the contribution of the scientific managers Giuseppe Distefano and Tommaso Piticchio, in collaboration with the FNOMCEO (National Federation of the Orders of Surgeons and Dentists) and with the patronage ofArsof the Municipality of Cataniafrom the Health Commission of the Chamber of Deputies and of theUniversity of Catania.
Natality, the Catania conference
In the great hall of Policlinico-Rodolico doctors, university professors and institutional representatives took turns to address topics such as the diagnostic process of infertile couples, medically assisted procreation, prevention and innovative therapies. In Italy in 2023 were born 379 thousand childrenin the previous year (2022) 385 thousand. From 2008 to 2023 there was a decline in births in our country of 34% (-197,000). “The topic has now become of national importance: the patronage that the institutions have granted to the conference,” he stated Alfio Saggio, president of OMCeO of Catania, “testify to the importance of the topic discussed. The problems linked to the fertility of men and women are having a notable impact on the birth rate that is affecting Italy and therefore discussing with such highly prestigious actors has allowed us to take stock of the current medical situation”.
Strategies to stimulate fertility
“Couple infertility is now a public health problem and requires absolute attention from all healthcare professionals,” he stated Tommaso Piticchio, councilor of the Omceo of Catania. “Couple infertility has been included in the Lea since January 1, 2024, we want to raise public awareness so that the aspect is best expressed in reality and everyone can access infertility support services”. “To face and combat the birth rate decline we need everyone’s help,” he declared Francesco Ciancitto, member of the Health Commission of the Chamber of Deputies. “The gynecologist is a fundamental figure in supporting couples in overcoming this difficult moment. It is not just an economic issue, but a cultural one: the common objective must be to combat the birth rate which is now a European problem. A problem that we ask Europe to address in a strong way over the next five years, because the risk is truly that of losing our identity”.
The role of consultants and general practitioners
“In Italy and Europe there is a drastic decline in births, we must make sure to reverse this trend. This conference aims to be a moment of meeting between the various professional figures who deal with fertility”, he concluded Giuseppe Distefano, gynecologist and scientific director of the course. “But also an informative moment for other professional profiles. Just think of those who work in clinics and general practitioners, who represent the first point of reference for the couple who want to choose the right structure and place to carry out the treatment”.
