Naples - The decision to close the pediatric ward at the San Paolo hospital in Fuorigrotta and transfer its services to the Loreto Mare hospital has sparked fierce controversy. Rossella Solombrino, national secretary of the Territorial Equity Movement, denounces a "political and administrative choice" with "very serious" consequences for children and families.
A political decision, not a technical one.
"I am deeply outraged," Solombrino began in a statement released today. "This is not a fatality nor a purely technical choice: it is a decision made by very specific individuals within the ASL Napoli 1 Centro, formalized by the general director with the involvement of the company's management board, and incorporated into the Campania Region's healthcare planning, where the final political responsibility lies."
The official reason? A shortage of doctors and nurses. "But this can't be an excuse: it's an aggravating factor," the movement's leader retorts. "The staff shortage is the result of years of underfunding, poor planning, insufficient competitive exams, and the flight of professionals. It's unacceptable to blame the inability to govern the system on the local communities, and worse, on the smallest ones."
Children affected, facilities overloaded
Solombrino spares no criticism: "This decision is atrocious because it affects children, overburdens already overstretched facilities, ignores the fact that other pediatric facilities in the city are at their limits, and deprives an entire area of the city of an essential service." Fuorigrotta, a densely populated neighborhood, is thus left without a dedicated pediatric center.
"This isn't a reorganization: it's a rollback of the right to healthcare," he thunders. "If the regionalization of healthcare produces these results, it must be clearly stated. Governors have a duty to ensure the right to healthcare and to prioritize the lack of investment in Southern Italy, rather than targeting citizens. Our children come before anything else."
Appeal to the new governor
The conclusion is a direct appeal: "We trust in the new governor's good sense to intervene to correct a mistaken decision, listen to the local communities, and put the protection of the youngest at the center." Solombrino emphasizes responsibility: "Citizens must know that decisions like this have clear responsibilities: who conceived them, who signed them, and who made them final. This is the first step in defending public health."
The Territorial Equity Movement has announced measures to monitor the situation, amid growing tensions over healthcare in Campania.
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (1)
I don't know if closing the pediatric ward is a good idea, but I believe the consequences could be very negative for children. The health of the little ones is important and must not be neglected. It's important to find alternative solutions.