Lack of staff, unbearable working conditions, starvation wages: the Italian healthcare system is on the brink of collapse. International Nurses Day is just around the corner, we will witness many fine words, many promises, the usual ceremony. Although the nurse is the main pillar of the NHS, they are experiencing a turning point. More and more colleagues are resigning, more and more students are dropping out, and OECD data: fewer and fewer young people want to become nurses, the OECD average has dropped from 2.3% to 2.1%, while the Italian average is below 1%, the lowest in Europe. According to a recent Remote study, Italy ranks last in Europe for work-life quality, especially in the healthcare sector. Eurostat: in Italy people work too much 1 in 3 Italians has stated that work negatively affects their private life. A Nursing Up Emilia Romagna survey highlights the serious situation in the healthcare sector, where 92% of professionals surveyed say they are dissatisfied with both their salary and working conditions. The causes of the crisis are many: Starvation wages: the average wage increase promised by ARAN (6.32%) is negligible compared to inflation at 5.9%. Our professionals will see their purchasing power decrease, while their commitment and dedication continue to be undervalued. Unbearable workloads: 100,000 nurses, 8,400 midwives, and thousands of OSS are missing. The silent heroes who fight every day for everyone's health are forced into grueling shifts and face staff shortages that put the quality of care at risk. Lack of recognition: healthcare professions are not adequately valued, either economically or professionally. Flight of staff abroad: in search of better working conditions and pay, our professionals emigrate abroad, leaving us with an increasingly fragile healthcare system. What to do? Nursing Up asks the Government to act urgently: Allocation of ad hoc resources for healthcare staff Improvement of working conditions Increase in salaries Recognition of healthcare professions Only with concrete commitment from the Government will we be able to save our healthcare system and guarantee the health of all citizens. We can no longer wait. Previous governments have failed, now is the time to change course. The future of our healthcare system depends on this. Citizens and professionals must unite to support the just demands of Nursing Up and put pressure on politics to find an adequate solution. Health is a fundamental right, and those who protect it deserve respect and concrete recognition of their value. If you want the NHS to return to being the best in the world, join and support Nursing Up, for a fair and dignified healthcare contract! Union leader Vincenzo Parisi - WhatsApp 3401210916 lapaginadinursingup@yahoo.com
