Dear Union,
I am a patient in the Pain Management department at Marino Hospital in Cagliari, and I'm writing to share a difficult experience that has affected me and many others for too long, people like me who, like me, face their illness with dignity, but also with difficulty. For over a year, reaching the department has become complicated due to the complete lack of signage. The entrance has changed, now located on the Poetto seafront, but no one indicates it. There's no sign, no arrow, nothing. And those who arrive—often elderly, disabled, or frail—are forced to wander aimlessly for minutes, if not hours, around roundabouts and intersections with no landmarks.
On June 7, 2024, the problem was reported to the then-General Director of the Cagliari Local Health Authority, who refused to authorize the installation of the new signs. To date, nothing has changed. I myself, who lives in Cagliari, have had to retrace my steps several times to find the right exit. But the situation worsens for those coming from far away. Among many others, I'll share the testimony of a patient from the Nuoro area:
We spent almost two hours at the Quartu roundabout. No signs. Everyone kept telling us, 'It's there,' 'It's there,' but we couldn't find anything. We finally managed to get in, but I—a disabled person in a wheelchair—couldn't go back: the road was blocked. We had to go around several times. It was frustrating and humiliating. When we finally arrived, two hours late, fortunately they welcomed us kindly. It's absurd that a sign alone can make a difference and no one wants to put it up. With this letter, I ask, also on behalf of many other patients, that clear and highly visible vertical signage be restored for the Pain Management Department. It's not a question of aesthetics, but of respect, accessibility, and humanity.
Signed letter (*)
(* the personal details, as far as the editorial staff is aware, have been omitted out of respect for privacy and in accordance with current legislation)
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(The editorial staff merely gives voice to citizens who express opinions, report poor service or anomalies, and does not necessarily agree with the content.)
