"Waiting lists too long even in the province of Ragusa, the European Commission should clarify"

Access times to healthcare are out of control, opaque waiting lists, and emergency departments are under pressure due to staff shortages: this is the alarming picture outlined by the findings of the accounting magistracy on Sicilian healthcare. In particular, in the provinces of Syracuse and Ragusa, waiting times range from ten to thirteen months, emblematic cases that highlight the critical issues of the regional system. The Court of Auditors in Sicily highlights structural problems in the management of waiting lists, gaps in governance and data transparency, as well as the limitations of the current booking platform. On the emergency front, there is a chronic shortage of doctors in emergency rooms, a factor that further extends waiting times and makes it increasingly difficult to ensure adequate assistance, especially for the most vulnerable patients. In light of this situation, MEP Giuseppe Antoci of the Five Star Movement has submitted a parliamentary question to the European Commission to ask what initiatives it intends to adopt regarding the extreme waiting times and the pressure on emergency services on the Island. “It is unacceptable – declares Antoci – that a person with severe disabilities has to wait over a year for an appointment. The right to health and timely access to care are principles enshrined in Article 35 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.” “Although healthcare organization is the responsibility of the Member States – continues Antoci – Article 168 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union establishes that the Union contributes to improving public health. For this reason, I asked the Commission whether it intends to promote comparable and public minimum standards for monitoring actual access times to services, strengthening quality, data transparency, and interoperability of booking systems.” “It is also necessary – concludes Antoci – to enhance support and coordination tools to help Member States reduce extreme waiting times and alleviate pressure on emergency rooms, also addressing staff shortages. Protecting the most vulnerable must become a concrete priority, not just a principle on paper.”