martedì, luglio 30, 2024

La povera gioia

La povera gioia

di Umberto Bottone (Auro D'Alba)

Bisogna che tu mi perdoni
le povere gioie passate.
Se volli bagnarmi di sole
il pallido viso,se i buoni
pensieri mi arrisero un poco,
se ebbi tranquille parole
per questa mia inutile vita,
tu sai, la mia povera gioia è finita.

Tu vedi le piccole case
lontane e non sogni - mai più -
mi pensi un novello Gesù
beato per lungo martirio,
mi vedi nel cupo delirio
dell'ore future e non piangi
per questa mia inutile vita:
tu sai, la mia povera gioia è finita.

Le porte che invano ho battute,
le soglie che invano passai
dischiudono i legni che inermi
raccolsero il grido. Là, in fondo,
c'è un pianto, un silenzio profondo;
nell'orto i girasoli infermi,
un raggio di luna sbianchita,
che sa: la mia povera gioia è finita.

O bianca malata che invano
ascolti a le porte crudeli
se gli abitatori infedeli
lasciarono un segno di vita,
su, dammi la piccola mano
sul tenue fianco avvilita,
e piangi: la povera gioia è finita.

Da Corde ai fianchi (1910)

lunedì, luglio 29, 2024

Ever more people simply don’t want to have children

 

Personal choice more than circumstances is the reason why younger generations are not having children, a new study reveals. 

Recent figures from the Central Statistics Office showed that fewer children are being born in Ireland and the fertility rate is well below the replacement level. Understanding the reasons why people choose not to have offspring is crucial for comprehending the shifting demographics and future family structures.

new study from the Pew Research Center on U.S. adults without children offers a detailed examination of the various reasons why this is the case, highlighting significant trends and differences across age groups.

The survey is based on two distinct cohorts: adults aged 18-49 and those aged 50 and older.

Lifestyle choice is a predominant reason for the decision not to have children, especially among younger adults.. Over half (57pc) of childless adults under 50 state they simply do not want to have kids. This figure is notably higher than among older adults (ages 50 and above), where only 31pc cite the same reason. This indicates a generational shift towards valuing personal autonomy and lifestyle choices over traditional expectations of parenthood.

Comparing these findings with past surveys reveals a clear move towards more people opting out of parenthood by choice rather than by circumstance. The share of non-parents under 50 who say they are unlikely to have children has increased by seven percentage points since 2018.

Thirty-nine percent of older adults report that having children "just never happened," indicating that circumstances and timing played a certain role for them. This contrasts with younger adults, where the primary reason is a deliberate personal choice. Additionally, 33pc of older adults cite not finding the right partner as a major reason, whereas younger adults are more likely to mention wanting to focus on other aspects of life, such as their careers or personal interests.

Infertility and other medical reasons also play a role for both age groups, but they are more significant among older adults compared to younger ones.

Financial concerns are another major factor. About 36pc of adults under 50 indicate that they cannot afford to raise a child, compared to just 12pc of older adults who give this reason. 

Among adults under 50, women (64pc) are more likely than men (50pc) to say they do not want children as the reason for not being a parent.  Additionally, women are more likely to mention negative experiences with their own families as a factor in their decision, highlighting the personal and emotional dimensions influencing their choice.

Among the older age cohort, women (42pc) more than men (27pc) felt pressure from society to be parents.

Men, on the other hand, are more likely than women to cite financial concerns (14pc vs 9pc) and the state of the world (15pc vs 10pc) as major reasons for not having children. This reflects a broader societal expectation on men to be financial providers.

Education also impacts these decisions. Among older adults, those with higher educational attainment are more likely to cite career focus and personal choice as reasons for not having children. In contrast, those with less education are more likely to point to financial concerns and the state of the world.

This research reveals that the decline in fertility rates is driven not just by economic factors but also by significant cultural shifts. Especially among younger adults, the preference for personal autonomy and lifestyle choice is a predominant factor. This reflects a broader societal shift towards individualism and self-fulfilment, often without considering the consequences for the common good.

A similar shift in values is probably happening here in Ireland as well. It is not just economic factors that have driven down our fertility rate to just 1.5.

 


Image by DianaZG from Pixabay

sabato, luglio 27, 2024

mercoledì, luglio 24, 2024

New report highlights extent of anti-Christian persecution worldwide

 

More than half of the world’s population lives in countries where religious believers experience persecution, according to a new report by Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). Christians are the most persecuted religious group globally.

The ACN report sheds light on the dire situation faced by many religious believers.

The period under review (January 2021 – December 2022) was dominated by Covid-19 and it was “especially catastrophic for a number of religious minorities who were targeted with impunity while international attention was elsewhere”, according to the report editor, Marcela Szymanski.

The report found that in 61 countries, citizens faced severe violations of religious freedom. The two most populous countries in the world, China and India, are among the worst religious freedom violators.

Christians, partly because they are numerous and widespread, are the most persecuted religious group globally. In many countries, they face systematic oppression, violent attacks, and severe restrictions on their religious freedoms. This persecution is driven by various factors, including authoritarian regimes, extremist groups, and socio-political conflicts.

Reported aggressions against Jews also increased in the West in the period under review (2021-22).

In the Middle East, Christians continue to suffer immensely. Iraq and Syria, once home to vibrant Christian communities, have seen dramatic declines in their Christian populations due to ongoing conflict and targeted attacks by extremist groups like ISIS. Many Christians in these regions are internally displaced or have fled to other countries as refugees.

Africa is another hotspot for anti-Christian violence. In large countries like Nigeria, Christians are frequently targeted by Boko Haram and other Islamist militant groups. The report highlights numerous incidents of churches being attacked, clergy being kidnapped or killed, and Christian communities living in constant fear.

In Asia, Christians face persecution in several countries, including China, India, and Pakistan. In China, the government’s stringent control over religious practices and crackdown on house churches have severely restricted Christians’ ability to worship freely. India has seen a rise in Hindu nationalist violence against Christians, with increasing reports of forced conversions, church demolitions, and physical assaults. In Pakistan, blasphemy laws continue to be a significant threat to Christians, with accusations often leading to mob violence and lengthy imprisonments.

“No Western nation can truthfully claim they do not know about the abuses occurring in the Arabian Peninsula, China, Pakistan and Nigeria,” the report says. “With the West looking the other way, often motivated by the need to guarantee the provision of natural and energy resources, the perpetrators become more assertive and make local legislation more restrictive. In this way, impunity is tacitly granted to perpetrators by the ‘international community’.”

Despite these challenges, the resilience of Christian communities is remarkable. Many continue to practice their faith courageously, even in the face of persecution. One example is Sr Gloria Cecilia Narváez Argoty, a Franciscan sister who wrote the Foreword of the ACN report. Sr Gloria worked specially with women in a Muslim-majority region in southern Mali and was kidnapped for almost five years. In the report, she gives a moving account of her experience.

The report calls for increased international attention and action to protect religious freedoms. It urges governments and international organisations to hold perpetrators accountable and to support initiatives that promote religious tolerance and coexistence.

ACN emphasises the importance of solidarity with persecuted Christians. It encourages advocacy efforts, humanitarian aid, and interfaith dialogue as crucial steps toward alleviating the plight of persecuted religious communities.

domenica, luglio 21, 2024

If the house burns down tonight

Ashes from the flames

The truth is what remains The truth is what you save From the fire And you fight for what you love Don't matter if it hurts You find out what it's worth And you let the rest burn SWITCHFOOT - If The House Burns Down Tonight - LIVE https://youtu.be/MV5oqs8RC-I

sabato, luglio 20, 2024

Future Ireland: few children, lots of retirees

Ireland’s population is getting older fast as fertility rates fall rapidly, with serious social consequences. The latest projections from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) highlight dramatic demographic transformations ahead.

These projections, covering the period from 2023 to 2057, provide insights into population growth, ageing trends, fertility rates, and migration patterns. They are based on three possible scenarios, depending on different proportions of immigration.

The most striking trend highlighted by the CSO data is the ageing population. The proportion of people aged 65 and over is set to rise hugely. In 2023, it represented 15pc of the overall population. By 2057, this age group is expected to constitute between 27.8 and 31.6 percent of the total, depending on the scenario used. This demographic shift is due to increased life expectancy, which is obviously something positive, and declining birth rates, which instead have serious negative social consequences.

To understand the significance of an ageing population, we need to consider the so-called “older dependency ratio.” This is a measure that compares the number of people aged 65 and over (typically retired) to the number of working-age people (aged 15-64). It indicates how many retirees there are for every 100 working-age individuals. A higher ratio means more retirees relying on fewer working individuals, which can impact economic and social systems.

According to the Central Statistics Office, Ireland’s older dependency ratio is rising dramatically. In 2022, there were approximately 23 retirees for every 100 working-age individuals. By 2057, this number is expected to increase significantly, with projections indicating that there will be about 56 retirees for every 100 working-age people in the worst-case scenario. Even in the best-case scenario, the prediction is still worrying, as there will be 47 pensioners per 100 individuals of working age.

With more people over 65 and fewer workers, there will be growing pressure on public finances. Pensions and healthcare costs are likely to rise, necessitating higher taxes or reallocation of resources. An ageing population will require more healthcare services, long-term care, and support systems, straining existing healthcare infrastructure.

Even the highest level of immigration projected by the CSO would not be sufficient to invert this worrying trend. Ireland’s problem is due to low fertility rates, which have been on a declining trajectory for too long. By 2047, in all possible scenarios envisaged by the CSO expert group, there will be more deaths than births in Ireland.

The Total Fertility Rate is projected to decrease from 1.55 in 2023 to 1.3 by 2038, stabilising at this lower level thereafter. Ideally, it should be above 2 to ensure a balance between births and deaths.

This decline reflects broader European trends. In Ireland, the average age of first-time mothers has increased to 31.7 years in 2021, up from 26 years in 1985. Not only are couples having children at a later age and having fewer children, but the number of women of childbearing age is also falling and it will continue inevitably in that direction, according to the CSO figures.

The projections presented this week by the CSO are extremely worrying but, significantly, there has been no reaction in the political arena. It is no surprise then that we have reached a point of no return.

martedì, luglio 16, 2024

Should we stop beginning Oireachtas sessions with a prayer?

 

A member of Cork City Council has called for an end to saying a prayer at the start of council meetings, appealing to the principle of the ‘separation of Church and State’. Cllr Pádraig Rice noted that more than 50 years ago, the people of Ireland voted to remove the special position of the Catholic Church from the 1937 Constitution. “That seems to have been ignored by Cork City Council. With the prayer and the crucifix, it still feels like 1930s Ireland in there,” he said.

But prayers are not just said at council meetings, they are also said at the start of sessions of the Dail and Seanad. However, the origins of this tradition are not so much a legacy of our Catholic history, and are much more connected to British parliamentary practice, which we follow.

The custom of beginning official proceedings with a prayer is found in a lot of countries that follow the British parliamentary tradition, including the UK itself, the US, Canada, Australia and South Africa.

In the UK, prayers have been a fixture in Parliament since around 1558. Every sitting of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords begins with prayers led by the Speaker’s Chaplain in the Commons and a senior bishop in the Lords.

The Northern Ireland Assembly begins with a silent period of prayer or reflection. The Scottish Parliament, instead, has a multi-religious ‘Time for Reflection’ at the beginning of each week. Ireland and Malta, which were both under British rule, are the only European countries maintaining this tradition of initial prayers.

Aside from the countries listed above, others that have prayers at the start of parliamentary meetings are Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, and Namibia, again all of which have historical ties to the UK.

In contrast, this is much less common in French-speaking African countries, with Muslim-majority Senegal being an exception. Beginning with the French Revolution, France has enforced a very strict form of secularism, often more than in the US which is almost founded on the separation of Church and State, even though religion remains a prominent feature of public life.

In Asia, the Indian Parliament traditionally begins its sessions with a short silent prayer or meditation. Pakistan and Bangladesh start their parliamentary sessions with a recitation from the Quran, while in Sri Lanka, prayers from different religious traditions are offered. Again, these countries have historical links with Britain, all being former colonies.

In South America, where Catholicism is traditionally prevalent, formal prayers at the beginning of parliamentary sessions are not customary, with these countries often emphasising the secular nature of their state procedures. Nonetheless, in Europe, some religious elements are still present in legislative bodies even if formal prayers are not common. For instance, a survey by the Oireachtas Library and Research Service found that 10 European countries have a parliamentary chapel or prayer room, and 18 offer religious services within their premises or outside, usually at the start of the year or on special occasions such as Christmas or commemorations. In the United States, both the House of Representatives and the Senate have chaplains.

While prayer before proceedings is more of a British tradition, religious iconography in public venues is prevalent in other European traditions. Crucifixes are commonly displayed in public buildings, including government offices and schools, in Italy, Poland, Austria, and some parts of Germany. An absolute ban on such displays is instead a key feature of the French concept of laïcité. Many European countries also have crosses in their flags, a heritage of Christianity, even if the religious symbolism is largely lost today.

Praying before parliamentary work has deep historical roots in many legislative bodies worldwide, and the practice varies significantly across different countries, reflecting diverse cultural and religious landscapes.

In Ireland, in 2017, after numerous calls to end the tradition, the Oireachtas decided to retain the daily prayer at the start of each business day. Additionally, a 30-second period of silent reflection was incorporated into the Standing Orders. This compromise appears to be a reasonable solution that accommodates individuals of all faiths or none. Removing the prayer entirely would not only have dismissed a long-established and deeply felt custom but also denied a brief yet meaningful moment that many consider important. This approach balances respect for tradition with inclusivity for a diverse population.

martedì, luglio 09, 2024

Senator Mullen bill aims to protect children from pornography

 

In an era where digital content is accessible at the click of a button, the exposure of children to inappropriate material, particularly pornography, has become a pressing issue. In response to these concerns, Senator Rónán Mullen, along with a bipartisan group of co-sponsors, has introduced the “Protection of Children (Online Age Verification) Bill” in Seanad Éireann. This Bill, which will be debated on Thursday, mandates strict age verification measures for accessing pornographic content online, aiming to safeguard children aged under-18 from exposure to such material.

Key elements of the Bill include:

  1. Age Verification Mandate: Website controllers and app store service providers must ensure that users undergo an age verification process before accessing pornographic content. This can be outsourced to approved third-party organisations, but the ultimate responsibility remains with the service providers.
  2. Liability and Legal Defences: Providers will be held liable for any failure to implement age verification measures. However, a legal defence is available if it can be proven that circumvention of the age verification was facilitated by another party.
  3. Data Security: The Bill mandates secure storage of age verification data for five years, accessible only for legal proceedings.
  4. Focus on Child Protection: Senator Mullen emphasised that the Bill solely focuses on protecting children and does not aim to restrict adult access to pornography.

The concern about children’s access to pornography is not confined to Ireland.

Various European countries have implemented or proposed similar measures, highlighting the need for a concerted effort to address this public health concern.

Spain has recently launched an innovative solution known as the “Porn Passport”. This mobile application aims to verify the age of users before granting access to online pornography. The application, developed to protect minors, requires users to verify their age through a secure and anonymous process. This initiative is part of Spain’s broader efforts to regulate access to adult content and ensure the safety of younger internet users.

Italy mandates age verification systems on websites distributing pornography and includes fines and potential site blockage for non-compliance.

In France age verification laws have been strengthened, and recently the Court of Cassation ruled that “a child protection can ask the courts to order internet service providers to block access to pornographic sites likely to be viewed by a minor without first having to take action against the host, publisher or author of the content.”

The French government is also testing a “double anonymity” verification solution to enhance protection.

In Germany, providers must implement age verification mechanisms, and regulatory authorities can block non-compliant sites.

Research underscores the detrimental effects of pornography on young people, including the development of addictive behaviours, distorted perceptions of sexuality, and emotional and relational issues. Statistics reveal alarming rates of pornography consumption among minors across Europe, necessitating urgent policy interventions. (More information can be found in the European Child Shield Platform advocacy paper: https://www.fafce.org/european-child-shield-platform-launches-awareness-campaign/ )

The “Protection of Children (Online Age Verification) Bill” represents a critical step towards defending children from the harmful effects of online pornography. By enforcing stringent age verification measures, Ireland aims to join other European nations in addressing this pervasive issue.

As Senator Mullen aptly stated, “Everything must give way to the protection of children”. The successful implementation of this Bill could serve as a model for other countries, fostering international cooperation in the fight against the exposure of minors to pornographic material.

 

lunedì, luglio 08, 2024

Aggiornamenti

Ho aggiunto due nuovi elementi all'elenco delle recensioni delle opere di Auro D'Alba, un po' di nuovi articoli nella bibliografia, e un nuovo elemento nella pagina dedicata alla corrispondenza.



domenica, luglio 07, 2024

Giorgio Vaccaro, lo Sport come religione

Una divisa degli alpini, un carattere leonino e un’uscita a Via del Corso a Roma con la propria ragazza possono cambiare un’esistenza. A maggior ragione se ci troviamo in pieno Biennio Rosso (1919-1920). Giorgio Vaccaro, all’epoca Tenente e non ancora Generale, cammina mano nella mano con la sua fidanzata Iride diretto al Caffè Aragno – luogo definito da Orio Vergani come il “sancta sanctorum della letteratura, dell’arte e del giornalismo” – quando un corteo di socialisti gli sfila davanti. Questi ultimi, avendo riconosciuto la divisa militare, passano in un attimo dall’affronto verbale allo scontro fisico.

Vaccaro, malgrado l’inferiorità numerica, non indietreggia: non può sopportare che qualcuno davanti alla parola “nazionalista” ponga l’aggettivo “sporco”. È un’offesa troppo grande, soprattutto per chi il conflitto mondiale l’ha combattuto e sul petto ha una medaglia d’argento e due croci di guerra. Sulla porta del Caffè Aragno ad osservare la scena c’è Umberto Bottone, conosciuto ai più come Auro D’Alba, poeta futurista molto vicino al fascismo: quest’ultimo, colpito dalla scena, dopo aver soccorso Vaccaro lo invita subito ad iscriversi alle squadre fasciste, le stesse che consentiranno al fascismo di prendere il potere.

Una scelta compiuta e mai rinnegata che segnerà per sempre la sua vita, nel bene ma soprattutto nel male, cestinandolo nel dimenticatoio della storia. «Vincere non è importante, è l’unica cosa che conta» diceva Giampiero Boniperti forse dimenticandosi di Vaccaro, sotto la cui presidenza la FIGC ha portato a casa due coppe del mondo consecutive, nel 1934 e nel 1938, e una medaglia d’oro alle Olimpiadi, nel 1936.

(continua qui)

giovedì, luglio 04, 2024

European Court of Human Rights turns down euthanasia bid

 

In some good news, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has recently ruled that there is no right to assisted suicide under the European Convention on Human Rights, allowing individual signatory States such as Ireland to continue banning euthanasia and similar practices.

Last month, the ECHR ruled on the case of Dániel Karsai, a Hungarian lawyer suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Mr Karsai argued that Hungary’s ban on euthanasia and assisted suicide violated his human rights under Articles 8 (respect for private and family life) and 14 (prohibition of discrimination) of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Mr. Karsai maintained that he was being discriminated against because terminally ill patients in Hungary are allowed to withdraw from life-sustaining treatments, but he had no option to hasten his death. Hungarian law criminalises facilitating suicide, even if it occurs abroad. Given his condition, Mr. Karsai claimed he could not end his life without assistance, which he argued was discriminatory.

The Court, which has jurisdiction over 46 member States of the Council of Europe, affirmed that there is no right to assisted suicide in the European Convention on Human Rights. In a 6-1 majority decision, the ECHR rejected Mr. Karsai’s arguments, recognising the distinction between the right to refuse or withdraw from medical treatment, which is common among the members of the Council of Europe, and the request to be actively killed or helped with suicide.

The Court acknowledged that while what they call “physician assisted dying” (PAD) has been introduced in some countries, “the majority of member States continue to prohibit and prosecute assistance in suicide, including PAD. Moreover, the Court notes that the relevant international instruments and reports, including the Council of Europe’s Oviedo Convention, provide no basis for concluding that the member States are thereby advised, let alone required, to provide access to PAD”.

The judges observed that opinions on this topic differ profoundly in democratic countries, granting member states a considerable margin of appreciation (that is, freedom to decide their own laws). This means States are free to legislate on the matter of euthanasia and assisted suicide according to their societal values.

The judges observe that “the wider social implications and the risks of abuse and error entailed in the provision of PAD weigh heavily in the balance when assessing if and how to accommodate the interests of those who wish to be assisted in dying.” The member States enjoy considerable freedom in deciding how that balance should be struck.

The ECHR noted that the available options in palliative care, including the use of palliative sedation, are generally able to provide relief to patients in Mr Karsai’s situation and allow them to die peacefully.

Mr Karsai complained that Hungary’s law considers as a criminal offence the facilitation of suicide even when it happens abroad. The Court replied that this is nothing unusual or excessive. “The criminal prohibition on assisted suicide is intended to deter life‑endangering acts and to protect interests arising from considerations of a moral and ethical nature”, they said, and the State is entitled to extend this protection of its citizens even outside its borders.

This is an important ruling that reaffirms that, even as euthanasia and assisted suicide are gaining wider acceptance, they are not human rights under the Convention and States have no obligation to permit these practices.

mercoledì, luglio 03, 2024

Il nuovo piano sanitario regionale

 Il nuovo piano sanitario regionale

 

Questo convegno dimostra, ove ce ne fosse bisogno, ancora una volta la realtà che spesso diventa drammatica nell’assistenza sanitaria. Il tempo a disposizione è breve e non consente una disamina accurata dei problemi trattati. Però, avvalendomi dell’esperienza di vita vissuta, nel senso che opero nell’ospedale di Atessa, mi sono reso conto che l’obiettivo di ogni piano sanitario nazionale regionale, e questo è il nostro caso, è quello di dare ad ogni cittadino uguale diritto alla salute in ogni angolo della regione. Veramente uguale dalle zone di Chieti e Pescara ai paesi dell’entroterra, senza materialmente dare di più a chi ha già qualcosa e dare niente a chi qualcosa non ha. E allora vi chiedo: Qual è la realtà oggi?

Balza evidente agli occhi di tutti quanto di assurdo e anacronistico c’è nella erogazione dei servizi e come di fronte a questo stato di cose il piano sanitario regionale si appalesi insoddisfacente e per certi aspetti incapace, comunque sfasato rispetto alla realtà. Esso sconvolge di fatto l’assetto sanitario che ha fondamento storico e sociale nei bisogni della collettività e basa un presunto risparmio di risorse sulla falcidia dei posti letto ospedalieri delle nostre zone e addirittura l’accorpamento di ospedali senza padrini politici.

Lungi da me ogni pregiudizio contro l’assessore alla Sanità. Anzi, invoco su di lui l’indulgenza che si deve a chi si cimenta con le migliori intenzioni in un mestiere a lui nuovo, quello del programmatore, ma il piano sanitario così com’è è carente di strumenti di conoscenza e di intervento. In altre parole, per sviluppare un piano sanitario regionale non bastano le ricerche di tipo retrospettivo che sono sostanzialmente povere di significato e prive di efficacia ma è necessario prevedere un sistema integrato e coerente dove devono avere il necessario rilievo anche elementi di altra indole: dall’assetto del territorio, alla distribuzione degli insediamenti urbani, alle industrie, alla struttura demografica, alla disponibilità di risorse finanziarie, alla mobilità della popolazione e altre ancora. Il problema è di una certa complessità ma non è dissimile da altri problemi gestionali complessi e passa per la costruzione di un modello matematico con programmi di simulazione per adattamento dei dati fittizi e provvisori a quelli reali, fino a raggiungere l’esercizio per fini di gestione e sviluppo. Quando il modello ha raggiunto questa fase di elaborazione e collaudo diventa lo strumento più potente e più nuovo di cui l’autorità sanitaria possa disporre: permetterà di ottimizzare la distribuzione delle risorse possibili, di prevedere la ripercussione sul sistema sanitario di determinati fattori (flusso migratorio, costruzione di nuovi ospedali, apertura di nuove strade, disponibilità di centri diagnostici, ecc.).

Questa che ho indicato naturalmente è una strada difficile e lunga ma una strada obbligata e noi dobbiamo fin da oggi muovere i primi passi malgrado il piano sanitario regionale. Dalla lettura di quest’ultimo invece si evince che c’è un disinvestimento del sistema pubblico per favorire il privato o il privato convenzionato, oltre ad una genericità e superficialità sugli obiettivi e le risorse e una povertà di mezzi e di tecnologie, con un tentativo neanche troppo nascosto di favorire gli ospedali più grandi a scapito di quelli più piccoli.

Il primo scopo che doveva proporsi la riforma era quello di ridurre il distacco e la incomunicabilità tra l’organismo gestore dei servizi e l’utente, fra le preoccupazioni formalistiche dell’apparato amministrativo e il contenuto profondamente umano di un bisogno sanitario, invece la diseguaglianza tra i cittadini di zone diverse crescerà e i grossi ospedali continueranno a fare il vuoto intorno a loro costringendo alla sottoqualificazione, quando non all’asfissia, i presidi ospedalieri minori agendo in termini concorrenziali e di centri di potere, scardinando ogni corretto disegno di distribuzione territoriale soprattutto nelle zone di più basso livello socio-economico della Regione. Ma noi siamo fedeli e gelosi della nostra identità, senza coltivare l’orgoglio della solitudine. Ci auguriamo che la ULS valorizzi e riconosca come ricchezze le strutture locali e che vengano considerate al centro non secondo schemi contrappositivi o legati ad egoismi geografici, ma come opportunità solidali e relazionali.

Con questo spirito mi piace comunicare a voi signori sindaci e a tutto l’uditorio che nel 1993 l’Ospedale Civile di Atessa ha avuto 8.000 ricoveri, 246.000 prestazioni esterne, 60.000 giornate di degenza pur con i limiti imposti dalle contingenze politiche ed economiche, in carenza di personale medico e infermieristico, con deficit di mezzi tecnologici e povertà di sovvenzioni. Nonostante queste congiunture sfavorevoli l’ospedale ha prodotto in questi anni prestazioni di buon livello quantitativo e qualitativo e una utilizzazione dei posti letto sovrapponibile e in alcuni casi superiore a quella degli ospedali limitrofi. Questa enorme mole di lavoro si deve all’enorme patrimonio di esperienze di tutto il personale al quale va il mio ringraziamento, alla fiducia del cittadino che speriamo di non tradire mai, alla capacità di crescita di integrazione culturale, di lavoro interdisciplinare di tutte le componenti sanitarie, amministrative e tecniche dell’ospedale.

Certo, se il nostro è rimasto relegato al ruolo di ospedale di zona si deve al fatto che è stato considerato sempre “periferia” con tutto ciò che ne consegue sotto il profilo dei finanziamenti, delle assegnazioni dei reparti, e dei fondi. Pensiamo quindi che un rilancio atteso anche dalle popolazioni non possa prescindere da una modernizzazione di attrezzature e metodiche che può aversi solo con l’autonomia gestionale, economica e finanziaria. E mi avvio alla conclusione consapevole come tutti voi che l’intervento sanitario ospedaliero non rappresenta che un momento di attuazione di tutto il sistema di sicurezza sociale.

Siamo altresì certi che i bisogni sanitari espressi dalla comunità trovano un punto di forza nell’ospedale. Ma l’ospedale deve essere a misura d’uomo. Né piccolo, né grande, né policlinico, né infermeria, né fusi, né concentrati, perché in questo caso in qualsiasi modo verranno fatti diventeranno elemento di contrasto, di beghe di partiti o raggruppamenti di partiti, saranno creature morte che non costituiranno niente. Perciò, per concludere, vorrei dire all’Amministratore Straordinario che con equilibrio e prudenza gestisce i tre nosocomi e soprattutto al Senatore Staniscia, che ringrazio per la magnifica ospitalità, che la città di Atessa e spero anche il circondario difficilmente accetteranno a proposito dell’ospedale il consiglio per gli acquisti: paghi uno e ne prendi tre. Grazie.


Vittorio Giuseppe Bottone

Atessa. (Data incerta, probabilmente 1994).