RAGUSA – The “heavy” report on the biggest Iblea healthcare scandal aired on Wednesday evening in Mario Giordano’s program “Fuori dal coro” it’s one of those that really hurts, that hits like a resounding punch in the stomach for its crudeness in exposing the undeniable and atavistic problems that have gripped this delicate sector for too many years, at the expense of sick people, who, sometimes, leave us the skin too. “What a fool…” the good Emilio Fede would have commented. And in fact the consequences in terms of image are certainly not flattering, on the contrary.
Between new CT scans coming into operation after months, the latest generation PETs unused because the hospital premises are not adequate in the face of expenses of millions of euros and very long waiting lists, there is something to worry about, and perhaps tear it out in strands. Leaving aside the obviousness of the more or less indignant stances that have sprung up on social media like mushrooms from politicians and others (and those who should have dutifully spoken out, instead didn’t), the only comment that stands out for its clarity and coherence on Facebook is that of the former mayor of Modica Piero Torchi, who, thanks to a long and complex experience as a former politician and long-time administrator, analyzed what was highlighted in the television report without lapsing into rhetoric.
“First of all, the damage to image is important – writes Torchi – and does not only concern the healthcare offer, but also the territorial and tourist one, because it gives the idea of inefficient and inadequate hospitals in territories, on the contrary, of great appeal. Immediately after the responsibilities: health and medical directors who shrug their shoulders, are unable to articulate a plausible explanation and almost enjoy the situation, ascribing to themselves a saving power amplified by their absence, must be kicked out, immediately, without ifs or buts; this would happen in any private company.
Then the Court of Auditors and the judiciary will investigate purchases, non-use and connivance with the private system, while the Ministry and Department will send inspectors. The task of politics is to recover the resources to purchase machinery, solve functionality and infrastructural problems, certainly not to guide companies. Because one of two things: either we complain by requesting greater autonomy of healthcare from politics, or we complain if politics doesn’t intervene.
Here, beyond and before politics – continues the former mayor of Modica – they must be fired by the incompetent and conniving General Director (not by politics); only then will the Regional Health Councilor have to demand an account and reason for the General Director’s actions and, if not adequate, remove him. Throwing stones at random at this or that politician serves to appease anger and the desire for summary populist executions; using reason and asking for concrete, serious and true actions, with the right steps, from those who have the duty to intervene is a step forward towards solving the problem.
For the rest, the policy that solves problems, brings resources to the territory, takes care of improving the quality of infrastructure has my appreciation. Much less – concludes Torchi – politics that only knows how to point fingers, but never puts a finger in hot water to solve concrete problems”. Will anything change or will everything continue as before? Ah, to know…
