“More than another step for the construction of the new hospital in Cosenza, the Region’s departmental decree for a further feasibility study is, in fact, another stop on the path to an effective and rapid construction of the work”. Mayor Franz Caruso stated this following the departmental decree with which the Calabria Region approved the economic framework relating to the “Technical services for the drafting of the feasibility document of project alternatives” for the new Cosenza hospital, with an expected expense of well 136 thousand euros.
“Frankly, there was no need for this further expense – continues Franz Caruso – nor to postpone the decision on where to build the new hospital to a new study. The previous feasibility study, from 2017, which already cost the Calabrians over 650 thousand euros, indicated the Vagliolise site on which the Cosenza City Council also expressed a favorable opinion in June 2022 and which, as far as I’m concerned, remains the site more valid. A choice, that of Vagliolise, which Roberto Occhiuto, however, questioned without any valid reason, probably simply following in the footsteps and indications of his brother Mario. The tape of all the procedures already completed was therefore rewound and the Inail financing of 349 million euros for the construction of the new Hub and 45 million intended for the transformation of the “Annunziata” hospital into a citadel was also put on standby of health. The restart from the feasibility study, therefore, postpones and does not proceed with the construction of the new HUB hospital in Cosenza, which has been talked about for 40 years and which, given the circumstances, only continues to be talked about, making announcements, moreover, also quite bizarre.”
“Having said that – concludes Franz Caruso – I reiterate, however, my opinion for the benefit of the public community: Occhiuto can do it where he wants, but do it. However, I would also add an exhortation that is now of fundamental importance: do not allow the current Annunziata hub to deteriorate further, as it is already totally inadequate to respond effectively to the needs of citizens/users. The Mayor is not responsible for the city’s health, but for the health of its citizens. With respect to this responsibility I will never turn my head away and I will always ask myself the problem of what to do to fully protect our fellow citizens and all of us, having an inefficient healthcare system and an absolutely deficient hospital structure which does not guarantee a minimum of health care”.
