Liguria officials protest privatization of medical courses in Pietra Ligure

Local officials Maria Gabriella Branca and Jan Casella of the AVS party have criticized the Liguria Region's decision to allow a private university to host medical courses at the Pietra Ligure hospital.

Link Campus University is set to offer Medicine and Surgery courses for the 2026/27 academic year, with 55 available spots. The program will operate in agreement with the Region, ASL1, and ASL2. Critics argue this move represents a dangerous privatization of medical education, noting that tuition fees are approximately 20,000 euros per year, totaling 120,000 euros over six years.

Branca and Casella contend that this decision violates constitutional rights to education, equality, and health, turning medical training into a privilege for the wealthy. They expressed concern over the placement of a private institution within a public hospital building and highlighted broader issues regarding the state of healthcare in Liguria, including long waiting lists.