Health Crisis in the Marche Region: Impact on Quality of Care
According to the latest data from Istat’s BES 2023 Report, the share of people in Italy who had to go without care in 2023 increased to 7.6% of the entire population, up from 7.0% the previous year. In the Marche region, this percentage reached almost 10% (9.7%) in 2023, compared to around 7% in 2022 and 2019. This places the Marche in the third worst position nationally and highlights the consequences of the political management of the region’s healthcare system by the center-right, particularly Fratelli d’Italia.
The crisis in healthcare in the Marche region is further compounded by recent events at the Territorial Health Authority of Pesaro and Urbino, where the General Director has requested early retirement and the Health Director has resigned. These developments reflect broader issues within the healthcare system, providing insight into the challenges facing the region.
The center-right government’s approach to healthcare in the Marche region, characterized by a focus on widespread hospitalism and the fragmentation of the healthcare system, has led to instability in management and a decline in the quality of services. The decision to decentralize the healthcare system into five Territorial Health Authorities, with limited resources and a fragmented hospital network, has exacerbated the situation.
The Provincial Health Authority in Pesaro and Urbino is struggling to meet the demands of a new Social Health Plan that includes expanding hospital facilities and services without additional resources. The unrealistic expectations set by the plan, coupled with budget constraints and regulatory hurdles, create an unsustainable situation for healthcare in the region.
As the crisis unfolds, stakeholders at the local, regional, and national levels must reflect on the challenges facing the healthcare system in the Marche region. The lack of cohesive planning, resource allocation, and leadership has contributed to a decline in the quality of care and access to services for residents. Addressing these issues will require a coordinated effort to realign priorities, optimize resources, and improve the overall effectiveness of the healthcare system.
The ongoing crisis in the Marche region’s healthcare system serves as a cautionary tale for other regions in Italy and underscores the importance of strategic planning, collaborative governance, and transparent communication in delivering quality care to all citizens.
Claudio Maria Maffei, Coordinator of the Pd Marche Health Table, emphasizes the need for reflection and action to address the challenges facing healthcare in the region. The future of healthcare in the Marche region and beyond depends on a collective commitment to promoting better health outcomes for all residents.
April 19, 2024, Copyright © Quotidianosanità.it – All rights reserved.