by InTrieste
The regional government of Friuli Venezia Giulia has unanimously approved a new Regional Oncology Plan, concluding weeks of political and professional debate over the initiative’s structure and implementation. The agreement was reached within the FVG council on Friday, January 31.
A breakthrough in negotiations among the ruling majority last week was critical in securing the plan’s passage. The most contentious aspect—criteria determining which hospitals would handle specific surgical procedures—was scrapped following opposition from Fratelli d’Italia. In December, the party had raised concerns based on objections from department heads at Pordenone Hospital, who criticized the original plan’s methodology for assigning procedures to different facilities.
With the table outlining those criteria removed, medical professionals will now review and discuss the guidelines. Another key component of the approved plan is the integration of the Aviano Oncology Research Center (CRO) into the university network, a move seen as strengthening collaboration between research institutions and healthcare providers. The deliberation of the council foresees the collaboration of various universities in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
“There are two ways of reading the decision,” said Regional Health Councillor Riccardo Riccardi. “All professionals, the surgical component, and the capacity of having some care close to home must be considered. We need to look at the results of what we’ve seen and discussed.”
Riccardi emphasized the significance of the decision. “This has been the most difficult issue for me since the pandemic, and I would like to publicly thank everyone who collaborated on this, especially Dr. Fassolo and all sector professionals. We must focus not on hospitals, but on patients,” he added.
“Application of the emergency response in Friuli Venezia Giulia, as well as general medicine, will need to be revisited and connected to the public health system,” Riccardi added.
Regional President Massimiliano Fedriga highlighted the investment and political challenges surrounding the plan. “We invested 300 million more. We are not in crisis in our region, and we need to use these resources wisely. Professionals with a serious, technical approach wrote this plan. We resisted political opposition from doctors, professionals, and opposition parties. It’s easy to play on people’s fears, but the council took responsibility instead of focusing on political gains,” he said.
Fedriga underscored the long-term impact of the plan. “We want to build the future health system of FVG, but it’s obvious that results won’t be immediate. We are one of the regions with the biggest opportunities in Italy, and we must act now to avoid difficult situations later.”
A key goal of 2025, Riccardi noted, is to open six emergency response centers for immunocompromised patients. “Many patients, instead of calling 112 for heart problems, go directly to the hospital. We need a better system for urgent care,” he said.
Addressing disparities in oncological care, Fedriga pointed out challenges in pancreatic surgery. “We have low numbers for oncological surgery of the pancreas, and we must ensure that all citizens receive equal and high-quality care. Politics cannot be the main focus—patients must be.”
The plan’s approval also exposed divisions within the opposition. The Democratic Party canceled a planned press conference after three of its five members in the regional Third Commission voted against the plan, contradicting the party’s prior decision to abstain from the vote.
The new Regional Oncology Plan marks a significant policy shift in the region’s healthcare framework, aiming to improve coordination and efficiency in cancer treatment while addressing longstanding concerns within the medical community.
Interview: governor Massimiliano Fedriga; FVG councilor for health, Riccardo Riccardi
