Third sector organizations operating in Sardinia's out-of-hospital healthcare sector are launching an appeal to the Region : urgent measures are needed to ensure the sustainability of emergency transport services, starting with adjusting reimbursements based on rising fuel costs.

At the heart of the request from Anpas Sardegna, Rete Nazionale Misericordia e Solidarity, and Avis Sardegna is the current agreement, "based on economic values that have remained essentially unchanged since 2011, despite the significant increase in costs the associations must sustain to ensure daily services to the population."

Fuel is one of the most critical items. "For ambulances engaged in emergency and medical transport, especially in peripheral areas and areas with long distances, this cost cannot be reduced or postponed: it is an essential expense to ensure that every vehicle can reach citizens and guarantee continuity of service. Ambulances must be refueled today. Services must be guaranteed today. The costs that the associations are incurring cannot wait for the conclusion of the conventional review," the signatory organizations jointly state.

According to ANPAS Sardinia, the National Network of Mercy and Solidarity, and Avis Sardinia, continuing to pay amounts calculated using outdated parameters means gradually shifting a significant portion of the regional health service costs to volunteer organizations: "The associations have so far absorbed the increases by using their own resources, donations, and the work of volunteers, but this model cannot continue without compromising the sustainability of their activities."

The concern expressed is that, without timely intervention, some associations may no longer have the resources necessary to guarantee the service.

(Unioneonline/AD)

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