This morning the regional councilor of the Democratic Party Pierpaolo Pietrucci and the municipal councilor of the L’Aquila Coraggiosa group Simona Giannangeli they met in front of the premises of the former G8 structure of the San Salvatore Hospital in L’Aquila to lead a inspection visit relating to the conditions of Territorial Rehabilitation Center of L’Aquila.
On this occasion, the two political exponents expressed their harsh criticism of the decision to move the territorial rehabilitation treatments from the site located in the Collemaggio area where they had been based for years to the former G8 structure. Furthermore, following the inspection visit, Pietrucci and Giannangeli spoke about “unacceptable conditions“, therefore requiring immediate interventions to identify an alternative location.
According to Simona Giannangelithe spaces of the G8 container, already used for sub-intensive care, are inadequate both emotionally and logistically for rehabilitation programs. “We have seen rooms designed for sub-intensive care: the beds have been removed, but the watertight doors, the devices for sub-intensive care and an atmosphere that makes the place repelling for patients remain”, declared the councilor.
He then highlighted the logistical difficulties: “There are joints on the floor that hinder walking, there is a lack of adequate parking, and disabled patients are forced to cross thresholds that are difficult to access. Inside, the situation is claustrophobic, suffocating and degraded. This container, also used during the earthquake and the pandemic, is now 16 years old. It is inconceivable that he would be considered suitable for rehabilitation”.
Giannangeli also asked for rapid intervention from the municipal and regional councils: “We demand answers from Marsilio and Biondi. The rehabilitation must return to the territory, in a suitable property that the Municipality must identify as soon as possible. I asked for a third commission to bring the councilors to visit these places, so that they realize the shame we are witnessing”.
Pierpaolo Pietrucci spoke bluntly about “political failure” by the regional council of Marco Marsilio and the municipal council led by Pierluigi Biondi. “Bringing territorial rehabilitation back into a container is unacceptable. It is a wrong idea, which forces parents and children to return to hospital, but in unseemly conditions”.
The councilor pointed the finger at the management of public resources and real estate: “There are unused properties that the Municipality continues to arbitrarily allocate to associations and tourist centers. Why not use structures like the building with 101 apartments in Pettino, which is completely vacant? There are funds from the PNRR and the Complementary Fund that could have been used for an adequate structure”.
Pietrucci also denounced the long waiting list for rehabilitation, calling it “monumental”: “There are children who have been waiting for two years to start treatments. And now they have to do it in cramped rooms, with intensive care respirators and water infiltrations. It is an insult to families and a failure of politics.”
Both representatives stressed the need to an urgent intervention to identify an alternative, quality location for rehabilitation treatments. “We will not stop until these unacceptable conditions are changed. The population of L’Aquila deserves an efficient and dignified service”, concluded Pietrucci.
The appeal is now addressed to local and regional institutions, called to respond.
