Among his latest targets is Donald Trump. Matteo Bassetti, director of the Infectious Diseases department at the San Martino Hospital in Genoa, criticizes him for his comments on the alleged correlation between the use of paracetamol during pregnancy and the development of autism. An expert communicator, Bassetti dismisses him as "confusion and misinformation." The infectious disease specialist spoke to Radar (on Videolina), discussing the crisis in the healthcare system. "It's at risk of blowing up."
Professor, let's start with politics and science. You call for respect for borders.
Unfortunately, there are some who are probably not happy with what they're doing. When politics so constantly invades the world of medicine and science, telling us how we should be treated, rather than what's harmful to our health, we're facing a dangerous short circuit.
The Trump-paracetamol case is the latest example. But there's much more, even in Italy.
"Of course. Just think of vaccinations or cancer treatment. I emphasize what I've said many times: medicine and science don't need democracy the way politics does."
And so those who talk big do it for consensus…
"I'll simplify. If something is right, it's right because a scientific study has established it, because the statistical power of an experimental study counts. Only that."
But politics decides in the end.
"Politics needs votes. We don't. It's unfortunate when politicians seek the votes of someone who is anti-science, anti-vaccine. In short, anti-medicine."
There must be a policy that defends science…
There's a bad policy, a 'heartfelt' one. We must stay away from it. When research isn't done, we live shorter lives. But it's especially the most fragile, the weakest, who live shorter lives. So the battle for science is a battle for all of us. Or rather, for all of you.
In Sardinia, we've had several cases of West Nile, some fatal. Prevention isn't just about avoiding mosquito bites...
"Prevention must be a key policy priority, first and foremost. Mosquitoes aren't a nuisance, but a potential carrier of infectious diseases, and as such, they must be addressed. But soon, not on August 10th. With pest control and public information. In short, we need health education. Unfortunately, this isn't being done as it should in our country."
The National Health Service crisis. How can we reverse the situation?
"We've lost ground in recent years, with COVID disrupting the organization of all healthcare systems. We had to chase down those who were sick, and so we did less prevention. But then the system was also disrupted from a, shall we say, 'political-mental' perspective."
Does this mean political sleight of hand?
"We've gone from some people criticizing the Covid vaccine to criticizing the entire vaccination system, which is an integral part of prevention. So it's as if the topic of prevention has become politically inconvenient in this country. And so we're seriously lagging behind in prevention."
Put like this, there is no reason to be optimistic.
"We need renewed vigor, both nationally and locally. The very survival of the healthcare system depends on it. Because if it doesn't know how to prevent disease, doesn't perform screenings, or doesn't vaccinate people, it risks being blown apart."
In his latest book, "Being a Doctor: How Empathy Helps Heal," he admits he was a somewhat cold doctor... How are things going with empathy today?
"Let's just say I'm a former cold-blooded person, rather than a cold-blooded one. I was one of those who grew up with the paradigm that the best doctor must be the coldest. I graduated in '95 and quickly realized that this wasn't a working model. Maybe it worked well 'technically,' but not in the way a doctor should: knowing how to talk to his patients, getting emotional with them, and even suffering in certain situations. Then, as department director, I tried to be more empathetic, communicate more, and listen more."
