Mastella: “An absurd and unacceptable regional centralism on health care in Campania”

What did he wish for?
«That in the face of a critical situation a dialogue could be established. We record emergencies of all kinds, starting from the lack of medical personnel in the emergency room. I was hoping that through institutional collaboration a result could be achieved in the exclusive interest of the citizens of Benevento and of the many municipalities that have the hospital as their main reference. Instead, the director first shrugged off, then she didn’t answer me, and now she’s answering me by forwarding to me the directive of the Region’s Chief of Staff for information. Absurd, unacceptable, indeed ridiculous: I am reminded that no manager of the hospital can take part in a meeting of mayors because otherwise the regular activities of the office would be altered».

This address is explicitly attributable to the Presidency of the Region, that is to the governor Vincenzo De Luca. Is it with him?
“Don’t make me say what I don’t want. At this moment, far be it from me to stir up controversy. I’m just taking note of the answer. Which I don’t understand and I don’t agree with. And do you know why?’

Tell her.
«Because on the basis of this logic we mayors will never have a direct interlocution, at most we will be able to receive a written report. I have spoken to colleagues from other regions who tell me that it doesn’t work like that for them. We are therefore in the presence of an entirely Campanian anomaly. I am driven by a constructive spirit, but this is not acceptable. Is it ever possible that I who oppose state centralism now have to suffer regional centralism?».

What do you intend to do in this situation?
“I have a duty to look up to my people. There are more mayors in the area than any other authority, certainly more than deputies, senators and regional councillors. And they are the ones who are constantly breathing down my neck. Doesn’t this strike you as a paradox: we are often the first doctors in our territories. If the San Pio emergency room is crowded, I’m the first to intervene. I feel it as a duty. And believe me: by now I don’t have to make a career, I did what I had to do. But I can’t abandon my community. I cannot give up in the face of the bitter underlying situation: whoever has the money goes to the North to get treatment and whoever stays here dies».

How can we try to remedy the shortage of personnel?
“40 health workers and 20 nurses from Avellino were hired in Benevento. Just think that I even defended the director for this highly contested choice. But now we have to do competitions, even for doctors. And above all, we need to recover all those professionalisms that played a very precious role during the acute period of the pandemic. Of course, an ad hoc regional standard is needed. The Region provides”.

The Corriere del Mezzogiorno newsletter

If you want to stay updated on the news of Campania, subscribe for free to the Corriere del Mezzogiorno newsletter. Arrives daily straight to your inbox at 12 noon. Just click here