Italy is making strides in oncological screening, with Health Minister Orazio Schillaci aiming for the country to be the first in Europe to offer early detection checks for lung cancer. Speaking at the Prevention Festival of the Italian League for the fight against tumors in Milan, Schillaci emphasized the importance of prevention as an investment that benefits both citizens and the healthcare system.
In an effort to promote prevention from a young age, Schillaci announced plans to introduce health education into schools, starting from first grade. The Minister stressed the importance of maintaining healthy lifestyles, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and proper diet to combat the challenges posed by an aging population and rising healthcare costs.
Schillaci also addressed the issue of long waiting times for medical tests and appointments, highlighting the need for better data collection and monitoring to improve efficiency in healthcare services. The Ministry of Health is working on strategies to reduce wait times, including utilizing private facilities and ensuring the appropriateness of medical prescriptions.
The Health Minister expressed concern over regional disparities in access to oncological screening, particularly between the North, Center, and South of Italy. Resources have been allocated to seven regions to improve compliance with screenings, with a focus on making Italy a leader in lung cancer detection.
As Italy looks to strengthen its healthcare system post-pandemic, Schillaci stressed the importance of engaging family doctors and investing in local medicine. Ensuring the full involvement of healthcare providers will be crucial for the success of these initiatives, along with better recognition and training opportunities for general practitioners.
Despite previous years of underfunding in the healthcare sector, Schillaci noted a positive shift towards increased funding this year. The Minister pledged to support regions facing challenges and stressed the need for efficient allocation of resources to support healthcare projects and initiatives.