Can we still consider Italy as one of the healthiest countries on hearth? You may not agree, but we still definitely think so. Here is why.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might like to know that the average Italian lives three years longer (82.9 years) than the average American for example for three main reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the majority of cases coronavirus hits elderly people more violently, especially those affected by other diseases. Given their high number in the Italian population, unfortunately the number of deaths is also higher than in other countries. But we can still claim that the Italian health system continues to be one of the best as claimed by Bloomberg in its Healthiest Country Index 2019<\/em>. Just think that for example, according to the recent report State of Health in the UE<\/em> \u2013 joint work of the OECD and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, in co-operation with the European Commission \u2013 Italy has the highest cancer-survival rates<\/strong> five years after diagnosis in the European Union, which means 90% compared to an EU average of 87%. In particular the rate for breast cancer in the peninsula is 86% compared to 83%; for the colon cancer is 64% compared to 60% and for lung cancer is 16% compared to 15% for Europe as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Also note that, although Italy still has the highest number of infections after China \u2212 this could be due to the high number of tests it made since the very beginning \u2212 this is happening more slowly than in other countries such as Spain or the United States where the number of positive people is growing very rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Normally all Italian citizens<\/strong> and foreign residents in Italy<\/strong> have more benefits, so for example they are entitled to free or very low-cost healthcare from the national healthcare system, which is known as the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale<\/em>. So, if you are going to be living in Italy over a longer period it is worth considering enrolling into the SSN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But don\u2019t worry, all visitors to the country<\/strong> can expect free emergency care if they have an accident or become suddenly ill while they are in Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because waiting times can sometimes be long for certain medical procedures, many Italians sometimes also opt for private healthcare<\/strong>, so that they can have a specific treatment in a hurry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n European nationals<\/strong> should apply for a free EHIC card before travelling anywhere in Europe, to cover all the cost of any emergency, included the repatriation to their home country if needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Non-EU citizens<\/strong> should buy an international health and medical insurance before coming to Italy that covers the entire period of your stay in the bel paese<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in this critical situation, the good news for all those in Italy is that assistance is granted for everybody.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Many hospitals have been converted to Codiv hospitals only. This means that in addition to standard hospitals, there are others where only and exclusively virus positive patients are treated to rule out any possibility of contagion between them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Secondly, many buildings have been turned into Covid hospitals and many new hospitals have been created this February and March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What is more, in just a few days also intensive therapy in Italy has gone from 5,300 to over 8,000 intensive care beds (+64%). The same happened with beds in pneumology and infectivology also have gone from 6,625 to 26,169 units.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A range of textiles and manufacturing firms converted their production to fight Coronavirus all together, so they are starting to produce face masks and medical clothing. Also Ferrari for example is on track to produce respirators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So you shouldn’t worry about your health on your next trip to Italy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Can we still consider Italy as one of the healthiest countries on hearth? You may not … Read More What to expect from healthcare in Italy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How does it work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What about Italy\u2019s standard of medical care during Coronavirus?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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