There are many serious health problems. And many, unfortunately, are invalidating, even without representing a danger to the life of those afflicted by them. In a period of pandemic, health care tries to oppose a united front to fight the virus and its effects, with the result of having to reorganize. Often, patients suffering from diseases other than Covid, who have exams, analyzes, visits and interventions postponed when they are not judged ‘urgent’, pay the costs of this new planning.
The stories of these patients are numerous. We have chosen to tell three of them, to ideally represent different categories of people and problems. In the words of the direct witnesses – who asked to remain anonymous – the loss prevails in the face of the collapse of certain holds.
Sick to be protected
“It was not difficult to imagine that the second wave of the epidemic would arrive and the necessary measures had to be taken so that the regional health system was not in collapse”. Anna Agrizzi, lawyer and president of the Association for the protection of the patient’s rights in Udine, is peremptory in commenting on the current situation of regional hospitals.
“The staff is reduced and finds it difficult to manage patients, both those with Covid and those suffering from other diseases. The situation of the Coronavirus is rather out of control, just think of the problem of swabs and tracing. Unfortunately, the Prevention Department is not adequately organized to meet the needs. And this problem arises from the lack of preparation for the arrival of the second wave. We receive many reports on this issue and also on the indefinite postponement of outpatient visits and non-urgent interventions, with consequent lengthening of waiting lists. Before the spring lockdown when some citizens turned to our association for these problems, the health company was able to give us an answer and solve the situation. Now it is impossible, we cannot even have interlocutors, because even the health personnel do not know how things will proceed.
What is certain is that these will be health costs that we will carry on for many years ”.
NICOLETTA: “PAIN TAKES OUT MY FREEDOM”
Among the stories we have chosen to report there is that of Nicoletta, 35 years old from Friuli, one of the many ‘suspended’ patients, for whom the therapies have no starting date. For the back problems that have plagued her for some time, the young woman underwent the diagnostic process that led to the identification of a herniated disc. The first step was to intervene with a conservative therapy, which involves the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, the reduction of motor activities (more commonly called ‘rest’) and specific physiotherapy. Unfortunately for Nicoletta, after a couple of months, this type of treatment was not enough to solve the problem.
The need for surgical intervention on the involved intervertebral disc was therefore highlighted. The Covid situation, however, has postponed the execution of the intervention to a date to be allocated, since it is not part of the ‘life-saving’ operations and therefore is considered not urgent. The result, however, is that Nicoletta still suffers a lot from the inflammation of the hernia and her back pain blocks her in bed, not allowing her to carry out any daily activities.
ROBERTO: “FOR THE TREATMENT I WILL GO OUTSIDE THE REGION”
Roberto’s situation is fully part of the series of those who are awaiting treatment and therapies that the health situation of the pandemic has forced to postpone. “I’m 58 years old, I live in the province of Udine and I undergo the necessary age-related health checks – he says -. Prostate hypertrophy after the age of 50 is quite normal, so when I was diagnosed I was well explained how to control it, the risks and the possible consequences. A few weeks ago, however, there was a sudden aggravation and I experienced serious difficulties in urinating. The situation has not improved with the drugs, but the doctor told me for the moment it is impossible to carry out the surgery to reduce or remove the prostate in Friuli – Venezia Giulia, so, given my conditions of serious discomfort and concern , I’m looking for if there is the possibility of doing it in another region ”.
ANNA: “EARLY DIAGNOSIS RISKS TO BE WASTE”
Mrs Anna’s story has potentially more serious implications. At 75, she continues to undergo periodic health checks and recommended screenings, including mammography and breast ultrasound. A lump was found during routine exams last August, which alarmed the lady and her family. “We tried to proceed as quickly as possible, because the doctors clearly told us that we had been lucky enough to identify the lump at an early stage, as is always desirable – says Anna’s daughter -. The second wave of the Covid emergency initially favored us: many people, in order not to approach the hospital and not increase the risk of contagion, had canceled appointments, visits and exams. We therefore arrived relatively early, in October, at a definitive diagnosis. At this point, the cold shower: my mother’s intervention cannot be scheduled for the moment and there are those who already speak of January as a possible date for the execution. We are obviously very worried and ask ourselves what sense the term ‘prevention’ has at this point ”.
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