The mayor of Belcastro, a small Italian town in Calabria, has issued a humorous decree “banning” residents from becoming seriously ill, highlighting critical shortages in the local healthcare system. The nearest emergency department is over 45km away with limited access, and local medical care is insufficient and inconsistent.
Calabria, one of Italy’s poorest regions, suffers from mismanagement and mafia interference, leading to severe staff shortages, lack of hospital beds, and long waiting lists. About half of the region’s residents are forced to seek medical care outside Calabria.
Mayor Torchia used this provocative decree to draw attention to the deficiencies, with residents supporting his initiative as a necessary wake-up call to raise awareness.
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