CREMONA – For now, six doctors resident in the provincial territory suspended by the Cremonese Order. Two of them, both psychiatrists, work in the Mental Health department of the Maggiore hospital in Crema. “The law is clear – explains Gianfranco Lima, provincial president of the Order -: the suspension is valid until they fulfill the vaccination obligation. We took six measures, while in other cases, after the necessary checks, it was ascertained that the doctor in question had been vaccinated in facilities outside the provincial territory, therefore the measure was not applied “. In Crema, the two psychiatrists are off-duty and on zero salary, as confirmed by the general director of the territorial socio-health company Germano Pellegata. “We took note of the suspension by the Order and acted accordingly”, explains the manager.
Vaccination for professionals is an obligation established by law decree number 44, converted by Parliament at the end of May. In short, even the most reluctant have had two months to adapt, therefore all the time necessary to provide. For this reason, the measures against them have taken place in recent weeks. In the period that passed from the entry into force of the legislation, the Region had requested information from health personnel (not only doctors, but also nurses and auxiliaries) who were not yet immunized at the beginning of the summer: they had to provide a certificate of vaccination. , exemption, non-existence of the conditions for the vaccination obligation or the reservation of the first dose. Those who did not clarify their position were asked to be vaccinated. Then, the third step, verified that the person concerned had not complied with the obligation: reporting to the professional order to which he belongs and to the operator’s employer. The law affects not only employees of public facilities, but also freelancers or those who work in nursing homes and private clinics. To return to service, the only way is therefore to undergo vaccination.
“In the first instance – Lima clarifies – the law provides that the doctors in question, but more generally all health professionals, may be assigned to perform other tasks not in contact with patients, but only where possible. Secondly beaten, there are forced holidays, and finally, the suspension from the profession without salary. However, the possibility of dismissal is not contemplated and the rule is still valid until 31 December 2021“.
To date, according to national estimates of the government structure for the Covid emergency, health workers not yet vaccinated are about 45,000. Of these, non-immunized doctors are 0.2%. In the last period, the first appeals by the category against the obligation of the anti-Covid vaccine have arrived. They refer to the failure to respect the individual right to health also guaranteed by the Constitution. However, it should be remembered that vaccination is a fundamental requirement for practicing the profession of doctor, as also established by the Supreme Court. The constitutional dictate is respected by the law that obliges the anti-Covid vaccine: those who work closely with patients must be vaccinated for their safety and for their personal one, otherwise they will not work there.