A small village, Belcastro, has ordered residents to avoid contracting any illnesses to that may cause a serious medical emergency and require further assistance.
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According to the BBC, Mayor Antonio Torchia issued a decree advising residents to stay healthy because of limited access to medical care. Belcastro has a population of over 1,200, with more than half of the residents over 65. Although the decree was issued in a humorous manner, residents were told to avoid risky behaviors, domestic accidents, travel, frequent outings, and sports. Instead, they were reportedly encouraged to rest at home.
The nearest Accident & Emergency department is located 28 miles from the village and can only be accessed by road, which has a strict speed limit. Furthermore, the village’s on-call doctor has a limited schedule and does not provide coverage on weekends, holidays, or after hours. Calabria, located at the southernmost point of Italy, has endured years of poor healthcare management worsened by mafia involvement.
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Fifteen years after the federal government put the region’s healthcare system under special management, conditions have deteriorated, resulting in the closure of 18 hospitals since 2009. Issues like financial troubles, insufficient staff, and extended wait times compel almost half of Calabria’s population to seek medical care beyond the region.
Initiatives aimed at enhancing the system involve a 2022 pact with Cuba to bring almost 500 physicians to Calabria over a three-year period, a decision that Regional Governor Roberto Occhiuto claims has “saved” the hospitals.
