“Illness Is Forbidden”: The Satirical Decree of an Italian Village Mayor

The mayor of the small village of Belcastro, located in southern Italy, has issued an unconventional decree declaring “illness forbidden,” in an effort to highlight the dire state of healthcare services in the area.

Antonio Torchia, the mayor of Belcastro, urged residents to avoid falling ill, especially in cases requiring emergency care. Speaking to local television, he explained that the decree, written in a satirical tone, aims to draw attention to the severe lack of medical services in the village, which has a population of about 1,300, half of whom are elderly.

According to the decree, Torchia encouraged residents to refrain from activities that could lead to injuries or illnesses, such as domestic accidents or excessive travel, and to prioritize rest as much as possible. He emphasized that the village faces a significant shortage of medical services. The sole healthcare center is often closed, and no on-call doctors are available during weekends or after regular working hours.

Torchia also pointed out that the nearest emergency room is in Catanzaro, about 45 kilometers away from the village, making it extremely challenging to access urgent healthcare when needed.

In a statement to the local newspaper Corriere della Calabria, the mayor described the decree as “a cry for help,” urging relevant authorities to experience life in Belcastro for a short period to understand the struggles of residents under the current healthcare conditions.

It is worth noting that the Calabria region is one of the poorest in Italy and suffers from low population density due to emigration. In 2021, over 75% of Calabria’s towns had fewer than 5,000 residents, raising concerns about the future of these communities, some of which have started offering financial incentives to attract new inhabitants.