Varese province faces shortage of 20,000 primary care physicians

More than 20,000 citizens in the Varese province are currently without a primary care physician. Data from the healthcare agencies Asst Sette Laghi and Asst Valle Olona reveal that 15,177 people in the Sette Laghi area and 4,983 in the Valle Olona area lack a stable medical reference.

In some districts, such as Gazzada di Daverio, the shortage has persisted for over two years, forcing residents to rely on temporary medical clinics. While these clinics provide essential services and prescriptions, they cannot fully replace the continuous care required by elderly, chronic, or fragile patients.

The situation is expected to worsen due to an upcoming wave of retirements. By the end of 2026, four doctors in the Sette Laghi districts of Sesto Calende, Tradate, and Varese are expected to reach retirement age, with more departures anticipated by 2027.

In a related development regarding local medical access, temporary clinics in Valle Intelvi will implement modified hours from September 7 to 21. During this period, services in Lanzo and Ramponio will be reduced, with activity concentrating primarily at the Centro Valle Intelvi Community House and the Casasco Intelvi clinic.