The path is challenging and the available resources are limited, but this year funding has increased by 2.5 billion, and next year it is expected to increase by 5 billion. It has never happened before that funds have exceeded 136 billion, with the expectation of exceeding 140 billion in the next financial year. This is what the Minister of Health, Orazio Schillaci, declared during an event in Trento, on the occasion of the balance of the ‘Two years of government’. Schillaci underlined that there is no intention of weakening the public health system and highlighted that increasing resources is not enough to address existing problems. In fact, he noted that many Regions have not even used the funds allocated by the previous government. He also highlighted the issue of waiting lists, calling it “the problem most felt by citizens”. The minister stated that he has put in place an organic law to address this challenge and underlined the importance of establishing mutual trust between health institutions and controls.

He also spoke about the importance of telemedicine as a fundamental innovation for the future of the Italian healthcare system. Specific funds have been allocated to support home care and the new electronic health record is currently operational; it is an advanced tool that will facilitate access to care. Furthermore, the minister announced that 65% of the new technological equipment intended for hospitals has already been delivered and tested. Schillaci expressed interest in artificial intelligence, which could support healthcare workers in both diagnostics and care, thus making the national healthcare service more efficient.

The minister also defended our national health system, often described as being in crisis. He proudly reported the appreciation he received during the G7 in Ancona from foreign health ministers, many of whom belong to political parties other than the Italian government. He quoted the words of the new British health minister – a Labour member – regarding our national health service: despite the fact that the English spend almost 10% of their GDP on public health, many still consider their services inferior to ours.

Another issue addressed by the minister is the shortage of doctors specialized in certain specific disciplines. The new budget law includes incentives to attract professionals in the less sought-after areas of medicine; however, a cultural change is also needed to make new medical graduates understand the importance of specializations such as radiotherapy and pathological anatomy in the fight against tumors. These disciplines offer innovative opportunities thanks to the use of technology.

Visiting the Proton Therapy Center in Trento, Schillaci reiterated that if there are shortages in the number of doctors today, it is the result of inadequate planning in past years. However, analyzing OECD data on doctors in various countries around the world, it clearly emerges that the overall number of doctors in Italy does not