The State of Italy’s Healthcare System: A Call for Reform
In a recent open letter addressed to the director regarding the OECD report on the sustainability of health systems, Alessio D’Amato, the action welfare manager, highlighted the urgent need for a substantial reform of the Italian healthcare system.
The OECD report, which comes in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, has exposed the weaknesses and inefficiencies of the Italian health service, particularly in the face of predictable events such as high influenza incidence and difficulties with vaccination campaigns.
D’Amato underscored the need for a “serious and realistic agenda” that goes beyond mere fine-tuning and instead calls for a complete change of course. He emphasized that any reform must move beyond the dichotomy of greater financing versus making the system more efficient and must take into account the popular opinion, considering the future and the new generations.
The issue of resources, organization, and efficiency, as well as the State-Regions relationship, are critical aspects that need to be addressed in the reform. D’Amato also pointed out the growing inequalities in accessing healthcare services based on income and education levels, indicating a pressing need for a more equitable and accessible healthcare system.
Another crucial issue raised in the letter is the declining number of healthcare professionals in Italy, with low salaries and limited career opportunities driving professionals to seek employment abroad. This exodus of talent poses a significant challenge to the sustainability of the Italian healthcare system.
The letter also highlighted the aging population in Italy and the need for a robust investment in digitalization, technology, and artificial intelligence in healthcare, as well as the importance of a “one health” approach that takes into account the interconnectedness of health, the environment, and the animal world.
D’Amato’s call for reform extends beyond Italy, suggesting the need for a Common Health Policy in Europe and emphasizing the role of scientific evidence and expertise in shaping the reform.
The letter concluded with a critique of the Italian government’s focus on establishing COVID-19 parliamentary commissions, arguing that addressing the healthcare system’s shortcomings would better serve the country.
The urgency and thoroughness of D’Amato’s call for reform underscore the critical state of the Italian healthcare system, emphasizing the need for immediate and comprehensive action to ensure its sustainability and effectiveness in the years to come.