The Italian government has announced a plan to hire over 30,000 healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, within the next three years to address the shortage of medical personnel. The plan aims to strengthen the healthcare workforce in response to the ongoing challenges in the healthcare sector.
The government has allocated a €21 million fund for research on new antibiotics to combat the rising antimicrobial resistance. The recruitment target may increase to 40,000 if sufficient resources are secured. The health sector is advocating for a financial endowment of at least €2 billion, but there are concerns that this amount may not be enough to cover all proposed measures.
Health Minister Orazio Schillaci is pushing for an increase closer to €3 billion to adequately fund the recruitment plan and address other critical needs. The proposed budget also includes a 15 percent flat tax on specialty allowances for physicians to retain healthcare workers. The government is considering additional incentives for young doctors, including a 5 percent salary increase for all residents and higher raises for those entering less popular specialties. Efforts are being made to defiscalize parts of healthcare professionals' paychecks to align them with their European counterparts.
The government is prioritizing the fight against antimicrobial resistance and plans to allocate resources to finance the 2024-2028 pandemic plan. Pharmaceutical spending is expected to increase to enhance drug availability and address public health challenges. The Italian government's proactive measures aim to create a more resilient and effective healthcare workforce.