Sapri maternity ward closure sparks protests in Campania

The planned decommissioning of the maternity ward (Punto Nascita) at the Immacolata hospital in Sapri has triggered significant opposition from local officials, unions, and healthcare professionals. Critics argue that the decision, set to begin in November, relies too heavily on numerical activity data while ignoring the geographical challenges of the Cilento and Gulf of Policastro regions.

Representatives from the Order of Nursing Professions (OPI) of Salerno and the FP CGIL union have appealed to Campania Region President Roberto Fico, emphasizing that the facility is a vital safety net for pregnant women and newborns in an area with complex road infrastructure and long distances to major hospitals in Salerno. They argue that maintaining local maternity services is essential to combat declining birth rates and ensure clinical safety during obstetric emergencies.

Local mayors and community committees are demanding urgent intervention from the regional government to protect the right to health and ensure that healthcare planning accounts for the real needs of peripheral territories rather than just economic sustainability.