Italy's Health Minister defends SSN amid concerns over medical errors

Servizio Sanitario Nazionale Orazio Schillaci UGL Salute medical errors healthcare reform

Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci has defended the National Health Service (SSN), describing it as an excellence envied worldwide. Speaking at the 58th Sumai Congress in Rome, Schillaci noted that the ministry frequently receives letters of gratitude from foreign citizens regarding the quality of care received in Italy.

Schillaci highlighted the ‘Case di comunità’ (Community Houses) as the most ambitious healthcare project of the last decade, aimed at decentralizing care and bringing services closer to citizens, particularly the elderly and vulnerable. He addressed concerns regarding staffing, stating that efforts are underway to recruit necessary personnel to ensure these facilities are operational.

In contrast, UGL Salute national secretary Gianluca Giuliano raised alarms regarding the financial burden of medical errors. He reported that public health structures set aside 516 million euros in a single year to cover claims, part of a larger 2.26 billion euro fund. Giuliano argued that these costs, alongside legal and insurance expenses, divert resources from essential care improvements. He attributed the rise in litigation to organizational deficiencies, such as staff shortages and overcrowded wards, which contribute to defensive medicine and professional pressure on healthcare workers.

Entities

Antonio Magi · Gianluca Giuliano · Italy · Ministry of Health · Orazio Schillaci · Sumai · Ugl Salute

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The Ministry of Health receives nearly daily letters of thanks from foreign citizens regarding medical care received without cost. www.notizie.it · www.periodicodaily.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Ministry is working to recruit the necessary personnel to ensure the operational capacity of new healthcare structures. www.notizie.it · www.periodicodaily.com
[● 3 SOURCES] Italy possesses a high-level national health service that is envied worldwide. www.notizie.it · www.periodicodaily.com
[● 3 SOURCES] There was a significant acceleration in healthcare reform implementation across several regions during the first half of 2026. www.notizie.it · www.periodicodaily.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The goal of the healthcare reform is to bring medical services closer to citizens and rebalance the system between hospitals and local territories. www.notizie.it · www.periodicodaily.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The 'Case di comunità' project is the most ambitious healthcare initiative in Italy of the last decade. www.notizie.it · www.periodicodaily.com