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Italian National Health Service faces surge in doctor resignations
A decade-long demographic analysis by the Centro Studi Anaao Assomed reveals a critical shortage of medical professionals within the Italian National Health Service (SSN). In 2025, voluntary resignations of hospital doctors reached 3,767, a 150% increase compared to 2024. This figure notably exceeds the 2,876 doctors who retired during the same period.
Labor unions, including UGL Salute and Anaao Assomed, have warned that the public healthcare system faces a structural crisis of attractiveness. Key drivers for the exodus include heavy workloads, long shifts, increasing responsibilities, bureaucracy, and inadequate compensation. The data shows that for every 100 doctors hired on a permanent basis in 2025, 43 resigned.
Geographic disparities are also evident. Over the last decade, the Center-North of Italy gained 4,029 doctors, while the South lost 1,166. In Sicily, the situation is particularly acute, with voluntary resignations jumping from 117 in 2024 to 479 in 2025. Union leaders are calling for urgent structural interventions regarding salaries, staffing levels, and workplace security to prevent the collapse of public hospital services.
Entities
Anaao Assomed · Gianluca Giuliano · Italian National Health Service · Pierino Di Silverio · Servizio Sanitario Nazionale · Ugl Salute
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] In Sicily, voluntary resignations rose from 117 in 2024 to 479 in 2025. www.leggimionline.it · www.ragusanews.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] In Calabria, the number of medical directors fell from 3,734 in 2015 to 3,264 in 2024, a 12.6% reduction.
- [● 8 SOURCES] In 2025, there were 3,767 voluntary resignations of hospital doctors in the Italian National Health Service (SSN). lanovitaonline.it · www.abruzzoindependent.it · www.leggimionline.it · www.sabiniatv.it · www.wltv.it · +3 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] In 2025, there were 2,876 retirements of hospital doctors in the SSN. lanovitaonline.it · www.abruzzoindependent.it · www.leggimionline.it · www.sabiniatv.it · www.wltv.it · +3 more
- [● 7 SOURCES] Heavy shifts, high workloads, increasing responsibilities, aggression, and bureaucracy are driving doctors to leave the public system. lanovitaonline.it · www.abruzzoindependent.it · www.wltv.it · www.crotoneok.it · www.quintapagina.eu · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] In 2025, for every 100 doctors hired on a permanent basis, 43 resigned. www.sabiniatv.it · www.blitzquotidiano.it
- [● 7 SOURCES] Voluntary resignations increased by 150% compared to 2024. lanovitaonline.it · www.abruzzoindependent.it · www.sabiniatv.it · www.wltv.it · www.blitzquotidiano.it · +2 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Center-North of Italy gained 4,029 doctors over the last decade, while the South lost 1,166. www.blitzquotidiano.it · www.sabiniatv.it