Contracts are no longer renewable, and emergency room shifts remain vacant. But this isn't the only problem related to the paid-for doctors at the Gallura Local Health Authority, who had somehow guaranteed the continuity of service. While the Region is trying to plug the gap in medical staff, which has been dramatically lacking since February 28th, an investigation by the Carabinieri of the NAS (National Anti-Corruption Unit) in Sassari is underway.
The military, using the utmost discretion, has been moving for some time now, acquiring documents and conducting searches to verify the credentials of specialists who worked in hospitals in northern Sardinia.
Embarrassing situations have already occurred, with immediate termination of employment relationships.
The most sensational is that of a Campanian specialist (two hours of service in Tempio Pausania and then dismissed) hired despite an ongoing criminal case for alleged very serious misconduct against patients. But there's also the mystery surrounding a doctor, apparently South American, with a qualification as a carpenter. Skills tests reportedly revealed embarrassing results: some failed the exam required of 118 emergency medical service volunteers.
Andrea Busia