Italian regions face health staffing shortages and funding disputes

In Sardinia, regional councilor Alessandro Sorgia called for the resignation of health assessor Alessandra Todde, accusing the regional government of blocking hiring lists for socio‑health operators (OSS) and failing to stabilize staff, citing eight unconfirmed OSS positions at the Arnas Brotzu hospital and reliance on a single graduation list.

The national health workers’ union UGL, represented by secretary Gianluca Giuliano, urged investment in personnel, reduction of regional disparities, better organization, digitalisation and protection of staff against aggression, stressing that quality of care depends on stable hiring and career paths.

In Trentino, provincial councillor Claudio Cia denounced private consulting contracts paying up to €1,100 per hour while public health funds increase, demanding transparency on authorisations and alignment with public needs.

Abruzzo’s regional health debate intensified after a ministerial monitoring report on the health deficit. Opposition leader Silvio Paolucci challenged the regional government’s accounting, while health assessor Nicoletta Verì defended the figures, highlighting the financial sustainability of the regional health system.

Molise’s president Francesco Roberti welcomed the CREA Sanità 2026 report showing rising public confidence, citing recent investments in staff, facilities, technology and compliance with PNRR targets for territorial medicine.

Confintesa Sanità called on the Ministry of Health to urgently renew the collective bargaining agreement for private‑sector health workers, citing salary gaps, lack of protections and risk of staff migration.

Critics of Molise’s new Operational Health Plan warned that closures and reductions of services—such as the interventional cardiology unit in Termoli, the birth point in Isernia and the Agnone hospital—signal a technical failure of the regional health network.