Silvio Berlusconi, the former Italian prime minister and one of the most controversial figures in modern Italian politics, has been admitted to hospital with leukaemia. The 84-year-old media tycoon and billionaire businessman, who was once regarded as a towering figure in Italian politics, is said to be in stable condition, but his doctors have warned that he faces a long and difficult journey ahead. Berlusconi’s illness marks the latest twist in a tumultuous career marked by political scandal, legal challenges, and a seemingly endless string of controversies. In this article, we will provide an overview of Berlusconi’s life and career, as well as the latest updates on his condition and prognosis.
Italy’s former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, 86, was admitted to Milan’s San Raffaele Hospital on Wednesday for a lung infection that was causing breathing problems. Berlusconi has been suffering from leukemia, and now he is currently in intensive care under stable conditions. According to a source from Reuters, he has chronic leukemia that has not turned acute. Berlusconi’s brother Paolo visited him on Wednesday and called him a “rock” while speaking to reporters.
Berlusconi has experienced various health issues in recent years, including contracting COVID-19 in 2020. Despite being discharged after ten days, he shared that the disease had been “insidious” and posed a grave threat. Berlusconi has had a pacemaker for years and underwent heart surgery to replace an aortic valve in 2016. Furthermore, he survived prostate cancer and was hospitalized in January 2022 due to a urinary tract infection.
Berlusconi served four non-consecutive terms as prime minister of Italy, with his last term ending in 2011 as the country neared a Greece-style debt crisis. Berlusconi has been marred by several scandals over the years, most notably around his infamous “bunga bunga” parties.
Berlusconi’s party, Forza Italia, is currently part of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition. Although he does not have a government role, Berlusconi is considered a significant figure in Italian politics. Meloni took to social media to wish Berlusconi a speedy recovery and wrote, “Forza Silvio (Come on Silvio).”
The news of Berlusconi’s hospitalization and chronic leukemia diagnosis comes at a time when Italy is grappling with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has been impacting the country significantly. As of Thursday 6 April, 2023, Italy had reported more than 8.1 million cases of COVID-19, with the death toll surpassing 139,000.
Berlusconi’s hospitalization also drew attention to the country’s healthcare system, which has faced significant challenges over the past several years, including funding cuts and shortages in medical supplies.
In recent months, Italy has made significant strides in ramping up its vaccination efforts, with nearly 80% of the population receiving at least one dose of the vaccine as of October 2022. The country has also implemented strict measures to curb the spread of the virus, including mask mandates and travel restrictions.
Despite these efforts, however, Italy has continued to face a surge in COVID-19 cases, with hospitals struggling to keep up with the demand for medical care. Berlusconi’s hospitalization serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges that Italy and other countries around the world are facing in the fight against COVID-19, as well as the importance of investing in healthcare systems to ensure that individuals have access to the care they need when health crises arise.
In conclusion, Berlusconi’s hospitalization and leukemia diagnosis have raised concerns about Italy’s healthcare system and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Still, his stable condition is a glimmer of hope, and it is essential to continue investing in healthcare systems to ensure that individuals have access to the care they need during health crises.
