Puglia Councilor advocates for hospital proximity over ASL borders

During a Puglia Regional Health Commission meeting, regional councilor Antonio Scianaro of Fratelli d’Italia advocated for prioritizing hospital proximity over administrative boundaries during medical emergencies. Focusing on the Manduria and Avetrana areas within the Taranto province, Scianaro argued that patients should be transferred to the nearest suitable facility regardless of which Local Health Authority (ASL) it belongs to.

Scianaro highlighted the logistical challenges in border territories, noting that the hospital in Francavilla Fontana is approximately 18 kilometers from the affected areas, whereas the Santissima Annunziata hospital in Taranto is over 60 kilometers away. He emphasized that in emergencies, travel time and road accessibility are critical factors for patient health.

Scianaro expressed support for the position of Regional Health Councilor Donato Pentassuglia, who suggested that healthcare services should be managed on a regional scale rather than being restricted by ASL borders. However, Scianaro also noted that simply redirecting patients is insufficient without strengthening the personnel and services of the hospitals intended to receive increased patient flows.