Francesca Mannocchi, a journalist and writer, recently took to social media to express her frustration over the difficulties she faced in accessing the National Health Service (NHS) for a necessary MRI scan to monitor her multiple sclerosis. In a heartfelt Instagram post, Mannocchi shared her personal battle, stating, "Every six months I have to undergo therapy for multiple sclerosis. Every six months I have to check whether the disease is stable or not. And every time I confront the impossibility, as a citizen, of obtaining what I am entitled to as a right." This candid revelation has sparked a wave of solidarity and outrage, reigniting the ongoing debate about the dire state of public healthcare in Italy.
After several attempts to secure an appointment, Mannocchi finally managed to speak with the Single Booking Center (CUP) in her region. However, the news was disheartening: the first available MRI appointment was not until July 2025, and it was located in a different province, 90 kilometers away from her home. Faced with such an unacceptable wait, Mannocchi felt she had no choice but to seek care at a private clinic, a decision that underscores the growing reliance on private healthcare in Italy.
"This is how democracies are dismantled," Mannocchi continued in her post. "By giving the illusion that rights are protected forever, while they are eroded day by day by a politics that is not up to the present." Her comments resonate deeply, drawing attention to the systemic issues plaguing the NHS, which has been criticized for its long waiting lists, staff shortages, and chronic underfunding.
To further bolster her argument, Mannocchi referenced Tina Anselmi, a key figure in the establishment of the NHS, quoting her words from 2006: "Democracy is a delicate, fragile, and perishable good, a plant that only takes root in certain soils previously fertilized by the responsibility of a people." She also cited Article 32 of the Italian Constitution, which guarantees health as a fundamental right and mandates free care for the indigent.
The response to Mannocchi's post was overwhelming, with hundreds of comments pouring in from individuals sharing similar experiences. One user remarked, "This is how democracies are dismantled, you are absolutely right. Healthcare is our greatest failure." Another commenter, an oncology patient, lamented, "I have to wait over a month for an MRI due to a suspected recurrence." Even well-known personalities such as Francesca Fagnani and Serena Dandini expressed their support, highlighting the mortifying state of healthcare access across Italy.
Mannocchi's situation serves as a stark illustration of the vulnerabilities within the national healthcare system. The chronic underfunding and increasing reliance on private healthcare create a scenario where medical care becomes a privilege for those who can afford it, rather than a universal right. As Mannocchi poignantly noted, the risk is that healthcare, once considered a universal right, is slowly transforming into a privilege accessible only to a select few.
In response to Mannocchi's public outcry, the Lazio Region issued a statement addressing her concerns. They explained that the prescription for her MRI contained a priority class labeled as "other," which meant that it could not be booked according to normal priority criteria. The regional administration clarified that her healthcare should have been managed directly by the Sant'Andrea hospital, where she was under care. They also provided a list of available appointments, indicating that the situation was being addressed.
According to the Lazio Region, patients could access appointments with priority P (programmable: to be provided within 120 days) at Villa Betania in Rome, with the first availability for an MRI of the brain and brainstem without and with contrast scheduled for May 23, 2025. Other facilities like the Poliambulatorio Policlinico Di Liegro in Rome also had available slots for various MRI scans, albeit with significant waiting times.
Priority D (deferrable: to be provided within 60 days for diagnostics) appointments were also outlined, with some facilities offering dates as far out as June 2025. Meanwhile, priority B (short: to be provided within 10 days) appointments were available at the Policlinico Casilino in Rome, with openings as soon as April 3, 2025. While these responses from the Lazio Region may seem like steps in the right direction, they still reflect a system under strain.
Mannocchi's story is not just about her personal experience; it is emblematic of a larger crisis affecting countless patients across Italy. The public healthcare system, once a point of pride, is now facing scrutiny as patients are left to navigate a maze of bureaucracy and long wait times. As Mannocchi highlighted, the erosion of healthcare rights is a pressing issue that demands attention and action.
The situation raises important questions about the future of healthcare in Italy. Will the government take the necessary steps to address the chronic underfunding and staffing issues that plague the NHS? Or will citizens continue to be forced into the arms of private healthcare providers, further entrenching inequality in access to medical services?
As the debate continues, one thing remains clear: the voices of individuals like Francesca Mannocchi are crucial in advocating for a healthcare system that truly serves the needs of all citizens. Her story serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting the rights that underpin a democratic society.
