Why an Italian village is banning people from ‘getting sick’

In a small village in southern Italy, located in the Calabria region, an unusual ordinance has been issued by Mayor Antonio Torchia, promoting the bizarre message that residents should avoid getting ill. This proclamation came to public attention in early January 2025 and serves as a satirical highlight of the severe healthcare deficiencies within the village of Belcastro, which has a population of approximately 1,200 people. The mayor emphasized that the decree, while ironic, is intended to provoke regional authorities to address the dire lack of medical accessibility in the area. The health center in Belcastro, which is supposed to serve the community's medical needs, is frequently closed, further inhibiting access to healthcare for the residents, particularly the elderly population, which constitutes nearly half of the town's demographic. Mayor Torchia expressed his frustration over the limited medical care available, citing that on-call doctors are not present during weekends, holidays, or after hours. Moreover, the entire Calabria region has faced significant healthcare disruptions, as 18 regional hospitals have shut down since 2009, pushing many residents to travel extensively for emergency medical assistance. The nearest emergency room is located roughly 28 miles away in Catanzaro, a city that many elder residents would struggle to reach promptly due to insufficient transportation infrastructure and the low speed limits on rural roads, raising significant concerns about safety and accessibility in health emergencies. Torchia’s ordinance requests the community to avoid situations that may lead to health issues, urging them to limit their outdoor activities, be cautious of domestic accidents, and to generally refrain from behaviors that could potentially result in needing medical care. This ordinative act has been framed as a desperate cry for help by the mayor, aimed not only at stirring local awareness but also drawing the attention of health officials and governmental authorities at higher levels. He challenges them to understand the impact of the healthcare crisis on villagers' lives and emphasizes the peculiar nature of his proclamation, which mixes humor with urgent social commentary. The ordinance remains in place until the town's health services can be normalized, calling for the local health center to be open regularly so that residents can access necessary medical support without barriers.