The analysis of the Federation of Pensioners (Fnp) Cisl Taranto Brindisi was relentless: the situation of public health and social and health services deeply worries citizens, especially the elderly population.
The elderly are particularly concerned about the actual accessibility of the National Health Service, fearing that it may lose the free nature provided for by the founding law no. 833/78, based on universality, equality and fairness.
The endless waiting lists and the so-called “closed agendas” have pushed 12 million Italians towards private healthcare, with a cost of 30 billion euros. Those who cannot afford it financially often give up treatment.
The flight of healthcare personnel from public hospitals to the private sector is creating serious difficulties for Local Health Authorities (ASL), slowing down services and hindering citizens’ right to health. Added to this is the shortage of specialist doctors and the decline in family doctors, reduced to 5,187 units compared to 40,250 in 2021 (source: Istat).
In the municipalities of our area, many family doctors are about to retire. The case of Manduria is emblematic, where three thousand people will have to find a new doctor by the end of the month.
As the territorial Fnp Cisl, we have repeatedly highlighted, in public statements, conferences and events, the need to strengthen public health to guarantee adequate care, proposing strategies to relaunch physical networks and services, as well as the hiring of new staff.
We asked health institutions to intervene with reforms and investments, promoting participation and social co-responsibility. In collaboration with the territorial CISL and the regional FNP CISL, we will continue to put pressure on the Puglia Region and the Taranto Local Health Authority to adopt concrete measures to improve the public health and socio-health service, which currently penalizes the most fragile categories, such as the elderly. So in a note Cosimo Panarelli, general secretary Fnp Cisl Taranto Brindisi.
