“I am confident. The problem of cutting the national fund for eating disorders is solvable. I believe that the government has understood that it is an important issue, also in terms of image. Beyond the funding, we hope that it is also the opportunity to discuss the problem in more depth and find a structural solution”. This is the opinion of Giovanni Abbate Daga, director of the Eating Disorders Center of the City of Health in Turin.
“Until October, 1.8 million euros were allocated for two years, a figure that covers 2023 and 2024. The correction must be made quickly because otherwise the money will not arrive in time and the contracts of 800 people hired will not be able to be renewed in Italy, doctors, neuropsychiatrists, psychologists, dieticians, nurses. This would have consequences on waiting lists and limit additional services” explains Abbate Daga. “Clinical and family members have moved against the cuts, there are those who would have immediately wanted to take to the streets and those who believe the path of dialogue is more correct. In the political world, the favorable position taken by the Honorable Semenzato, representative of the majority, is important”.
Abbate Daga recognizes that there is attention on the issue in Piedmont. “The Region – he explains – has allocated 150,000 euros at the end of the year and the opening of a community in Piedmont is planned, a center for twenty adults and two with ten places each for minors. There is a commission that is evaluating the projects From a technical point of view it will close quickly, the tender has already been made. In Piedmont there are thousands of people suffering from eating disorders, in Molinette alone we have 500 adult patients in care, the same number in Regina Margherita.
There are two peaks: between 14 and 17 years and between 18 and 20. It’s a long-lasting illness, it takes a long time to get out of it, on average four or five years.”
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