92 abdominal surgeries on pediatric patients at Di Cristina will be performed at Ismett in Palermo

Today, a memorandum of understanding was signed at Palazzo d’Orléans between Arnas Civico of Palermo and Ismett with the aim of reducing the waiting lists for pediatric patients at Di Cristina. The agreement involves the immediate care of 92 children waiting for abdominal wall surgery by the Mediterranean Institute for Transplants and High Specialization Therapies. The surgeries, after an initial clinical evaluation, must be carried out by June 30th of this year, as stated by the Sicilian Region. Signing the agreement were the President of the Sicilian Region, Renato Schifani, the general manager of the strategic planning department of the regional Health department, Salvatore Iacolino, the general director of Arnas Civico, Walter Messina, and the director of Ismett, Angelo Luca.

“We are strengthening our commitment to solve the waiting list problem,” says Schifani, “and today’s result is important because it allows us to guarantee high-quality care to young patients, thanks to a center of excellence like Ismett, which has a consolidated relationship with the Region. In our journey, collaboration with the private sector of our healthcare system remains crucial to ensure access to care for all citizens in a reasonable time frame.” The number of services provided by Ismett will be reported weekly to the regional Health department, and payments for these services, outside the annual budget, will be made according to the regional tariff schedule. The protocol will be valid until the waiting lists are completely eliminated. The collaboration with the Institute is part of the “Operational Plan for the Reduction of Waiting Lists,” launched by the regional government on July 27, 2023, with a budget of 48.5 million euros, aimed at clearing pending services using accredited structures, both public and private. For 2024, an additional 41 million euros will be available, split evenly between public and private facilities, according to the Region.