Antonio Macciò 's retirement has become a political issue. Having reached retirement age, the oncologist—and university professor—has been forced to resign from his position as director of the Gynecological Oncology Unit at Businco Hospital, which is part of Arnas Brotzu. The law requires it. But some had envisioned a more operational role for him, designed to preserve the professionalism and experience he has accumulated over 40 years.
In recent days, a "grassroots appeal" had also been circulating for Macciò to be appointed as a "tutor," but this was contested by those who argued that if the professor had wanted to train successors, he should have worked for years toward this goal. He himself reportedly asked Arnas Brotzu's general director, Maurizio Marcias, to find a way to avoid having to leave the hospital. But the director general, who has strong ties to Macciò, found himself with his hands tied. The veto reportedly came from above: from even the president of the Region , Alessandra Todde, and the plenipotentiary, Luca Caschili.
And first there was some gossip about the case, then the moment came to announce the questions in the Regional Council.
Puddu's appeal
The first to publicly support the oncologist was the mayor of Assemini , Mario Puddu, a former member of the Five Star Movement: "In Sardinia, there's talk of a 'great exodus' of doctors from public hospitals. Hundreds of resignations, an increasingly serious staff shortage, and a problem that politicians and institutions must address. Within this broader context, however, there's a case I know very well and about which, I believe, something can and must still be done."
Sardinia's public healthcare system, and those who manage it (he's referring to Todde), "must do everything concretely possible to ensure that a wealth of experience, expertise, and research like his can continue to be made available to patients, possibly here in the Cagliari area and in the context in which he has worked to date. Even in a different role, if regulations prevent him from maintaining his current one." Perhaps Puddu is considering a position as medical director. And to support his argument, he recalls 2018, when he asked Macciò to run for political elections, but the doctor declined, preferring to remain on the ward. Cutting Macciò out, according to Puddu, "would be one of the many unforgivable mistakes made in politics." A clear message, but one that isn't understood.
The accusation of the Brothers of Italy
Responding to the call, Fausto Piga and Gigi Rubiu, representing the Brothers of Italy party in the regional council, stated: "Sardinian healthcare has lost one of its most illustrious, human, and professional figures. Dr. Macciò was a hardworking doctor out of pure and profound passion, never simply out of duty."
From President Todde, "unfortunately, we have only seen total institutional indifference," he adds, " no action, no attempt at dialogue, not even a phone call thanking Macciò for his decades of service to our region. A deaf attitude, distant from the real needs of patients and marked by serious political inertia. The Todde administration once again demonstrates its lack of concern for the protection of healthcare excellence, abandoning irreplaceable professionals to their fate, with the Region's complete disregard."
The two Melonians announced: "We will not give in to this government resignation. We will present a question to clarify the situation, and we are also considering a popular petition to urge President Todde and her majority to shake off this inaction and immediately find a formal solution to convince and allow Dr. Macciò to continue his valuable work serving the Sardinians."