interviews: Maximiliano Crocamo
Interviews: Simona Liguori, Regional councilor for Patto per l’Autonomia–Civica FVG; Caterina Conti, Regional secretary of the Democratic Party (PD)
Opposition parties in Friuli Venezia Giulia on Tuesday accused the regional government of overseeing a decline in the public health system, citing data they say show falling hospital productivity, reduced ability to attract patients from outside the region and ongoing staff shortages.
During a joint news conference at the Regional Council headquarters, representatives of the center-left coalition presented findings obtained through a freedom-of-information request submitted to the Regional Health Coordination Agency (ARCS) by regional councilor Simona Liguori.
According to the opposition, the figures indicate that Friuli Venezia Giulia, once regarded as a national benchmark for healthcare quality, has seen a steady decline in its attractiveness, particularly for medical and surgical hospital admissions. They argued that lower hospital activity makes it more difficult to recruit and retain healthcare professionals, despite praising the work of doctors, nurses and other medical staff.
The coalition blamed the administration of regional president Massimiliano Fedriga for what it described as a lack of strategic planning, pointing to growing waiting lists, continued workforce shortages and a decline in patients seeking treatment from other regions, including at specialized institutions such as CRO Aviano and the Burlo Garofolo children’s hospital.
The opposition also raised concerns about what it described as an increasing imbalance between the public healthcare system and accredited private providers, calling for greater transparency in the release of health data.
Center-left leaders said they are preparing a joint policy platform on healthcare, with further meetings scheduled in July and a comprehensive proposal expected to be presented in early September.
