Public vs. Private Healthcare: Former Cancer Patients Struggle to Access Essential Services
by Marta Belotti
The debate between public and private healthcare has been raging on for years, with each sector having its own advantages and disadvantages. However, for former cancer patients in the Bergamo area, this debate is not just theoretical – it’s a matter of life and death.
In a recent article published in our newspaper on 26 April, Elisabetta shared her struggles as a former cancer patient who now faces difficulties getting the medical checks she needs. The waiting times for tests and operations in the public sector are unbearably long, forcing many patients to turn to expensive private services for quicker access to essential care.
One former cancer patient, who wishes to remain anonymous, shared his heartbreaking story of having to give up dermatology appointments due to the high costs of private visits. “I have lived in Bergamo for twenty years. During Covid, I discovered that I had follicular lymphoma and was treated excellently by the Papa Giovanni hospital in Bergamo. As long as I was followed by them, I never had any problems. But once I switched to the local healthcare system, the treasure hunt began,” he explained.
The former cancer patient highlighted the stark contrast between the efficiency of hospital facilities and the inefficiency of the local healthcare system. “You can’t find instrumental tests before the eight or even ten-month wait. In the public sector, you have to wait months for a simple check-up, while in the private sector, the costs are exorbitant. A family with low income simply cannot afford such treatments, especially after a tumor that requires frequent check-ups,” he lamented.
This story is not an isolated case, as another former patient, Silvana, also shared her struggles with accessing essential healthcare services after her cancer diagnosis. The lack of availability and affordability in the public sector is forcing many patients to choose between waiting for months for a simple check-up or paying a hefty price for private services.
The situation faced by former cancer patients in the Bergamo area sheds light on the urgent need for reforms in the healthcare system to ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial situation, has access to quality and timely care. As more stories like these come to light, it becomes increasingly clear that the current healthcare system is failing those who need it the most.
To read more about this pressing issue, pick up the latest issue of PrimaBergamo on newsstands until Thursday 9 May or access the digital edition online.