In an unusual move to highlight the healthcare crisis facing his town, Mayor Antonio Torchia of Belcastro, Italy, has issued a proclamation stating, "Getting sick is prohibited." This declaration comes in light of the town's inadequate healthcare access, particularly affecting its elderly population.
Belcastro, a small town of approximately 1,300 residents, is situated about 45 kilometers (28 miles) from the nearest emergency room in Catanzaro. The mayor's proclamation serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many towns in the Calabria region, where over 75% have populations below 5,000. Torchia believes that raising awareness about these issues is essential to prevent further decline in community health services.
The town's health center frequently closes, and the availability of on-call doctors is limited to weekdays. As a result, residents are left vulnerable during weekends and holidays. Torchia emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, "Come and live a week in our small village and try to feel safe knowing that in the event of a health emergency the only hope is to get to Catanzaro in time." His statement underscores the precarious position of Belcastro’s residents when faced with medical emergencies.
The proclamation is not intended to be taken literally; rather, it aims to draw attention to the dire healthcare circumstances. The mayor expressed his frustration over being "a drop in the ocean" concerning the urgent need for improved healthcare services. He noted that many towns across Calabria confront similar challenges. "The province of Catanzaro has 80 municipalities, and I believe that most of them suffer from the same problems," he remarked.
As young people continue to leave rural communities like Belcastro for urban centers in search of better opportunities, fears of desertification and brain drain loom large. The situation in Calabria is particularly alarming, as it is one of Italy's poorest regions, grappling with declining populations and limited resources.
