Pandemics: Italy's decline worries doctors: "Rejecting the WHO amendments is a serious matter."

"This is a serious and risky decision." This is how the FoSSC (Forum of Scientific Societies of Italian Hospital and University Clinicians), which represents 75 scientific societies active in Italy, expressed concern over the government's decision to reject the amendments proposed by the World Health Organization to the new International Health Regulations for the management of pandemics. This position, according to clinicians, could compromise the country's ability to respond to future health emergencies.

A dangerous precedent

The rejection, formalized in a letter sent by Health Minister Orazio Schillaci to the WHO, follows the United States' example but, Italian doctors warn, "does not take into account our country's dramatic experience with Covid-19." FoSSC president Francesco Cognetti emphasizes that "new dangerous pathogens could threaten global health. This is a possible and, in some ways, even probable scenario, as already highlighted by all the most important and prestigious international experts. It is therefore right to prevent and limit future pandemics, including through greater cooperation between different countries. Our healthcare system has already highlighted limitations and weaknesses that dramatically emerged during the pandemic. We cannot afford to take steps backwards now, when global prevention tools are needed."

Prevention and cooperation

For clinicians, the amendments proposed by the WHO were anything but ideological. "These," Cognetti clarified, "are measures designed to strengthen the international pandemic response network, recognizing that new infectious threats are highly likely. In this context, rejecting shared coordination and intervention tools means isolating ourselves and weakening our health defense capacity."

Concrete (and underestimated) effects

Beyond the scientific merit, the FoSSC also warns of the practical consequences: "Failure to comply with the regulation could hinder the mobility of Italian citizens, increase the risk of disorganized quarantines, and complicate the management of any emergencies. We need international coordination, not national haste."

Appeal to the Government

The Forum of Scientific Societies therefore calls on the Italian government to reconsider its position. "We urge the institutions to reconsider their decision and engage in genuine dialogue with the scientific community," concludes Cognetti. "We are ready to collaborate to jointly address the critical issues facing the National Health Service and build a more effective, robust, and shared prevention system. Public health cannot be put on the back burner."