The number of public hospitals in
Italy fell 2% between 2008 and 2011 as a result of mergers and
closures, the health ministry said Thursday.
The same source also reported a shortage of pediatricians
in almost all regions of Italy and said that two thirds of
health-sector employees are women.
In 2011 Italians could seek treatment at 1,120 hospitals,
of which 53% were public and the remaining 47% were accredited
private structures.
The ministry reported four beds for every 1,000 people on a
national level, with the figure varying considerably from region
to region.
Molise in southern Italy registered one of the highest
ratios of beds per 1,000 citizens at 4.7, while Umbria in
central Italy and the southern region of Campania returned 3.5
and 3.4 respectively.
On a national level there are 1,144 potential adult
patients per general practitioner and 1,030 children (up to 14)
per pediatrician.
"All regions with the exception of Abruzzo, Sardinia and
Sicily are characterised by a major shortage of pediatricians
working in the national health service," the ministry said.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
