Farewell to Cagliari surgeon Giuseppe Binaghi: «Master and point of reference for generations of doctors»

He left a deep mark on medicine in Sardinia. A teacher and point of reference for a generation of specialists. Giuseppe Binaghi, a surgeon and university professor from Cagliari, who crossed many borders at a time when the organization of hospitals was being strengthened throughout the island, died at the age of 91. In the mid-seventies, he created, in the role of head physician, the surgery department of the Santissima Trinità hospital . He came from the hospital of San Gavino where he had been medical director. With him, two assistants and seven assistants.

One of the assistants was Michele Pietrangeli who, at the time of his farewell, remembers him with affection and regret: «For me he was a true master. The extraordinary professional competence was combined with great human qualities and the ability to transmit values and knowledge. He taught with his knowledge». Pietrangeli, in 1990, replaced Professor Binaghi when the master, due to age limits, left the department : «I suggested that he stay with us and continue to offer his contribution, but he preferred not to follow up on my invitation. He considered his experience in that hospital concluded. Better to give space to his students. He only told me in an authoritative way, thinking of the complex organization of the department: you have to take care of everyone with the utmost attention, patients and doctors ».

Giuseppe Binaghi faced pancreatic tumors at the Santissima Trinità: «With him», adds Pietrangeli, «oncology surgery was born in the Is Mirrionis hospital. I remember the first operation in his department in the mid-seventies. He taught me a lot on that occasion too». Those who were close to him also remember his ethical sense: «For private consultations, when he worked in the public health service, he didn't ask for a penny». Love for medicine was a family matter. His grandfather Roberto Binaghi was always a luminary in the field of surgery: Cagliari dedicated the Monte Urpinu hospital to him . The last farewell tomorrow, Thursday 14 November, at 11:30 in the church of San Giacomo.