«The new Sardinian parliamentarians declare a state of emergency in health care. The situation is unsustainable, the levels of assistance are collapsing ». Gavino Mariotti is rector of the University of Sassari and speaks with good reason. The University of Turriano participates in the protection of public health through the University Hospital, which has also returned from the cyclone of the pandemic. "A terrible period, during which we had to close wards to upgrade the facilities for Covid-19 patients. Now, we are out of the crisis, despite the fact that the virus continues to circulate ».
Mariotti is spending a few days off. After a short stay in Golfo Aranci ("the house is in the name of my wife", he is keen to emphasize), now it's the turn of Alghero, this time in a house he owns. Period of rest so to speak, the phone rings continuously and when it does not, it is because an area of the house is not covered by the signal.
Rector, what are the faults, if any, of the councilor Nieddu?
“In the meantime, let us never forget the devastating force of the pandemic. It has upset our hospitals, it has forced us to move doctors to face the emergency, it has prevented us from assisting patients suffering from other diseases. A situation never seen before ».
Then?
«So Nieddu has no faults, I feel like absolving him. Covid-19 has distorted the terms of the question ».
Now, however, the pandemic has let go, hospitals are no longer under pressure.
"In fact, the next councilor will be subjected to trial."
Next councilor?
"Well, we'll have to go and vote for the Regionals in 2024, maybe we'll have another councilor."
We may have it even sooner in case of replacement.
"We could, but I don't know anything about that."
He will know of the need to review the health care organization.
“Yes, I have clear ideas about this. Two second-level hospital hubs, Brotzu in Cagliari and Aou in Sassari, plus other structures with specific and limited tasks. It is useless to have so many small general hospitals, we have to get out of the logic of having everything and everywhere ».
So, close minor hospitals like Ozieri, Tempio, Lanusei?
"Calm. In the past we have opened too much, now we risk falling into the opposite error and closing too much. There is a middle way ».
And would it be?
«Let's see what financial resources we have. Okay, on health the economic factor is not the main one but it must be taken into account. As well as the volume of activity must be considered. It makes little sense to keep a birth point open for ten mothers a year ».
And the women of La Maddalena and Lanusei, the examples are not by chance, what should they do?
“Medicine has progressed. There are helicopters and medical ambulances, specialists can be moved. Again, you can't have everything everywhere. The word "close" applied to hospitals is obsolete. If anything, we need to redesign the system. For example, the Zonchello di Nuoro. It was a high-end pulmonary facility that went down the drain for reasons I don't know. A serious mistake ».
Now the main emergency is the lack of doctors.
«The fault of a wrong national law, that of the programmed number. Then we pay for our insularity. Those who come from the continent to specialize, then do not stay. Furthermore, our trainees prefer to choose the two Hubs rather than peripheral hospitals. This has a logic, they prefer highly professional structures to complete their training ».
In short, how does it come out?
«We need a regional direction, which says what the needs and resources are. For example, if my university is to announce a competition, it must be addressed to sectors where there is more need ».
It should be the councilor's job.
"Of the councilor and the governor."
Any other advice?
«We are behind in technological innovation. Uniss obtained 30 million from Pnrr funds for telemedicine. A very important novelty, with which ordinary patients can be assisted at a distance, avoiding queues at the hospital and transfers. In all departments of the Aou Sassari there will be an outpatient clinic, equipped with a screen, active 12 hours a day. We expect to cut waiting lists by 40 percent ».
An efficient telematic network will be needed.
«In fact, thanks to the availability of the Region, we will be able to access the Kentos network for free».
What is true in the fact that Uniss wants to supplant the Gemelli of Rome at the Mater Olbia?
"Anything. Eight months ago I was called by Aldo Carta, president of the University Consortium of Olbia, and Luigi Rispo, representative of the Qatar Foundation. They asked me to do research at Mater Olbia and I gave availability. When the territory calls, the University answers. We have no intention of usurping anything. '
Is it true that Solinas offered you to run for politics?
“Things went like this. The governor told me that a rector could profitably contribute to a team of parliamentarians. '
And she?
"I replied that a year and a half ago I assumed the role of rector, that I have a duty to fulfill towards the University and that therefore I intend to finish the seven-year term".
By the way, what is the state of health of the University of Turriano?
"Optimal. We are second in the Censis ranking of middle universities, our university is no longer baronial but open to the city and the territory, we have closed a budget of 147 million, which has never happened before, we have invested in technology, human resources and student well-being, within a year and a half we will start construction sites for 100 million, including the reconstruction of Piazza Università, the former State Monopoly and the former Institute for the blind. I must continue"?
That's enough, thanks, I'll leave it to the sun and sea baths.
Ivan Paone
