Renowned Gynecologist Speaks Out About Healthcare Disparities in Italy
Alfredo Ercoli, a Full Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at the University of Messina, has made a strong statement about the healthcare disparities between the North and South of Italy. In an interview with beraking latest news, Ercoli expressed his concern about patients in the South feeling the need to seek treatment in other regions, despite the presence of skilled and compassionate medical professionals in the Southern regions.
Ercoli, who has worked throughout Italy and abroad, emphasized the high level of care available in the South, particularly in Messina where advanced gynecological surgeries are carried out using cutting-edge techniques. He highlighted the need to address the lack of trust in the public health system in the South, which often leads patients to seek treatment in other regions, even if it is inconvenient and expensive.
The issue of healthcare disparities between the North and South of Italy has also been brought to light in a recent report by Svimez-Save the Children, which highlighted the risk of growing inequalities. Ercoli attributed part of this gap to the greater efficiency of health systems in some northern regions, which have concentrated major pathologies in reference centers and implemented dedicated diagnostic-therapeutic pathways.
Drawing from his years of experience in Sicily, Ercoli shared stories of patients who found the right treatment and care in Messina after inadequately seeking help in other hospitals. He also emphasized the importance of young doctors in driving improvements in healthcare, while acknowledging the challenges they face in pursuing surgical specializations.
Ercoli’s remarks shed light on the urgent need to address healthcare disparities in Italy and the challenges faced by the healthcare system, particularly in retaining skilled specialists. As the debate around healthcare inequality continues, Ercoli’s insights have sparked a conversation about the need for a more efficient and motivating National Health Service to retain both patients and healthcare professionals in the Southern regions.