Doctors, nurses and students to march in Rome on 5 December over public health funding

A joint protest in Rome

Doctors, nurses, veterinarians, midwives, health professionals, technicians, administrative staff, students, residents in medical and non-medical specialties, and researchers will take to the streets in Rome on 5 December. The organisers present the protest as a defence of the Italian National Health Service (SSN) and of the right to care. The procession is scheduled to set off at 15:00 from Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II and end on Via dei Fori Imperiali. The call came in a joint note issued on 10 November, in which the organisers describe a single front with no distinction by role, category or union affiliation.

Who is behind the march

Unions and associations including Anaao Assomed, Cimo-Fesmed, Aaroi-Emac, Fp Cgil, Cisl Medici, Nursind and Nursing Up are named among the signatories. The number of participating groups differs between outlets: ANSA counts 27 unions and associations, while Il Fatto Quotidiano says more than twenty. The list also includes student groups such as Udu and Primavera degli studenti, along with the residents' coordination Sivemp. The organisers say the march is open to any citizen who wants to defend public healthcare.

The funding dispute

The organisers say years of insufficient investment in health and weak recognition of hospital, outpatient, community, training and research staff have weakened the national service. Il Fatto Quotidiano reports that the government's budget bill provides 2.4 billion in new resources for the SSN in 2027, on top of one billion already allocated in the previous budget law. La Stampa reports that the Regions had asked for 6.8 billion. Il Fatto Quotidiano frames the march as opposition to the Meloni government's manovra as a whole, which it says includes a claimed record in health funding.

New SSN resources for 2027 (government budget bill)2.4

Already allocated in previous budget law1

Regions' request (per La Stampa)6.8

New SSN resources for 2027 (government budget bill)

2.4 billion

Already allocated in previous budget law

1 billion

Regions' request (per La Stampa)

6.8 billion

Data from the article text

What comes next

The organisers say health should not depend on income or on the postcode of residence, and that the march is meant to show the public health service will still be there to defend and strengthen. La Stampa says the march brings together for the first time most of the sector's unions, from specialists and nurses to residents and researchers. The promoters aim to draw in citizens by warning that access to care could depend more on finances and place of residence. The march is set for 5 December, with the procession starting at 15:00.