The clinic treats those who cannot go to private clinics for free: “Retirees and the middle class come. Health is deteriorating because of waiting lists.”

a Lambro BridgeIn the eastern suburbs of Milan, there is only one general practitioner for more than five thousand inhabitants. 350 children in the area do not have a primary care pediatrician. So the Ali Di Leonardo Association, made up of volunteer nurses and doctors, decided to open a centre Nursing clinic To provide free assistance to area residents. “Since we opened our doors, we have seen that more and more retirees and middle-class people are arriving who are working, but have low salaries and cannot afford private care,” he tells Fatto.it. Gabriela Scrimeri, Chairman Ali di Leonardo. The association runs clinics in Ponte Lambro and Calverati and finds itself having to cope with ever-increasing demand.

“The health conditions of patients who come to us are Clearly worsened -Screamieri notes- Because of the long waiting lists They could not have preventive check-ups in the public sector and could not afford private check-ups.” Example? The wife of a local shopkeeper had been waiting for a specialist cardiology visit for more than a year: “It was available for a fee after a few days, but with two children to support we couldn’t “And so the patients' condition worsens. Many people suffer from this condition. “In our clinic, we try to do what we can – says Scrimeri – we evaluate the conditions, detect and monitor vital parameters as well as carry out therapeutic and health education. If a patient needs to see a specialist, we try to connect with other volunteer specialists.”