We have received the following from the “PD Council Group of Atina Town Council” and are publishing it here.
«To the provincial councillor Andrea Amata People often like to distort reality to suit their own interests. It is all too easy to make the headlines by blaming the problems with healthcare in Lazio and the provinces on a centre-left government, when we could counter by pointing out that, to date, the only body to have been investigated in connection with the healthcare scandal in Lazio has been the centre-right regional government led by the then President Storace, see the ‘Lady ASL’ case, etc. It is all too easy, dear Councillor, to distort the facts by portraying the situation as though the Lazio Region had drawn up a reinstatement plan without making any cuts or downsizing measures. Only those who have the financial means to rely on private healthcare – thereby avoiding waiting lists or services often provided under extreme staff or equipment shortages – can believe this. Rather than peddling empty promises, Amata would do better to take a tour of the wards, departments, outpatient clinics and A&E departments of provincial hospitals and gather not only real, objective data, the testimonies of those directly affected, who work gruelling shifts, thereby putting their own health – and, above all, that of hospital patients – at risk.
We welcome the responsible measures – summarised as cutbacks and adjustments to healthcare provision – which the current general situation compels us to implement, provided that they maintain the standard levels of healthcare, both in hospitals and outpatient clinics, as well as those of the emergency services. In this regard, we are committed to strengthening the first-aid centre in Atina, given that it is the first healthcare facility many residents come across on their way before they can reach Sora or Cassino – I am thinking in particular of the residents of our neighbouring mountain villages, such as San Biagio and Picinisco, where it takes 15 minutes to reach Atina Hospital. It is true that the current government is not reaching into Italians’ pockets, but only because Italians themselves are having to dig into their own pockets to cope with the tax burden that is now strangling citizens and businesses!
Dear Councillor Amata, rather than distorting reality, let us face it head-on, avoiding the usual refrain of blaming one administration or another; the crisis is real and objective, as are the problems in healthcare, social services, employment and education (incidentally, where was Councillor Amata when it came to resolving the issue of the cut to extended hours at Atina Primary School – perhaps off abroad on a holiday at the taxpayers» expense? Let us also be concerned about the cuts that local councils will soon have to make to essential services for citizens – precisely because of the latest budgetary measures, which see a significant reduction in grants to regions, provinces and local councils. Let us be concerned that governors of major Italian regions, such as Polverini herself, have rebelled against this budget issued by their own government. This, like so many other issues, must be tackled without partisan bias, but by working hand in hand for the good of citizens who are now tired of the usual political proclamations characterised by all smoke and no substance.”.
via La Provincia
