The recent decision by ASST del Garda to close the maternity ward at the Gavardo hospital has raised a wave of concern among local authorities and the community. Mayor Davide Comaglio, head of the majority group “Insieme per Gavardo,” has expressed strong doubts regarding this choice, emphasizing the potential repercussions for the Brescia area around Lake Garda.
Concerns Expressed by Local Authorities
In a public letter, Mayor Comaglio highlighted that the closure of the maternity ward is a concern not only for him but also for the entire municipal administration and the mayors of the Vallesabbia Mountain Community and the Brescia side of Lake Garda. The situation has been further exacerbated by the announcement from Regional Councillor Bertolaso, who declared the closure to be “temporary,” accompanied by a proposal to enhance prenatal and postnatal services.
The Strategic Importance of the Hospital
Comaglio emphasized how the maternity ward has represented a crucial service for the municipality and the entire Valsabbia area for fifty years. Despite the decline in births recorded in recent years, which has brought the numbers below the minimum standards deemed necessary, the mayor argues that this does not justify the closure of such an essential service.
The disinterest in the facility is perceived by expectant mothers as a signal of insecurity and inadequate modernity, prompting them to choose other facilities for childbirth. Comaglio attributes part of the responsibility to past political choices that have not always favored the development of healthcare services.
Necessary Investments to Relaunch Services
Currently, the Gavardo hospital is undergoing significant work aimed at improving the seismic safety of its buildings. However, local administrators hope that such renovations will be accompanied by substantial investments in the services offered. According to Comaglio, it is essential for political authorities to make courageous choices in order to reconsider the decision on the closure and develop a strategic plan to enhance the efficiency of the hospital.
Appeal to Local Politicians
The mayor has therefore urged regional political representatives to actively work on reconsidering the decision made regarding the maternity ward. It is necessary to develop strategies that can rebuild both the image and the effectiveness of the services offered by the local hospital.
Finally, Comaglio wanted to express solidarity with the healthcare staff working at the hospital, urging the current management to seriously address the issues that have emerged from the ongoing situation.
Italian Version
