Italy: A group of fourteen doctors and scientists have issued a compelling appeal to rescue Italy’s National Health Service (NHS). The document emphasizes the crucial need to bring the funding of the NHS in line with the standards of advanced European countries to ensure its sustainability and effectiveness.
The appeal praises the NHS for its achievements over the years, including a significant increase in life expectancy among high-income countries. However, it also highlights the challenges facing the system, citing radical epidemiological and demographic changes, as well as financial difficulties, which have led to significant underfunding. Currently, only 6.2% of Italy’s GDP is allocated to the NHS, a figure deemed insufficient to meet the healthcare needs of the population.
Key concerns raised in the appeal include regional and social inequalities in access to healthcare, outdated healthcare infrastructure, and the need to prioritize investment in human resources. The document underscores the importance of valuing and supporting healthcare professionals, as well as implementing measures to address the shortage of nurses, which is significantly below the European average.
The appeal concludes with a call for an urgent and comprehensive plan to increase funding for the NHS, with specific measures to address regional imbalances and improve the quality of healthcare services. It emphasizes that adequate funding is not only essential for protecting health but also for promoting social cohesion.
The appeal is signed by prominent figures in the medical and scientific community, including Ottavio Davini, Enrico Alleva, Luca De Fiore, Paola Di Giulio, Nerina Dirindin, Silvio Garattini, Franco Locatelli, Francesco Longo, Lucio Luzzatto, Alberto Mantovani, Giorgio Parisi, Carlo Patrono, Francesco Perrone, and Paolo Vineis.
