In this Italian town, residents are 'banned' from getting sick under mayor's orders. Here's why

The healthcare crisis in Belcastro reflects a broader issue affecting the Calabria region, one of Italy’s poorest areas.

Residents of Belcastro, a picturesque village in the southern Italian region of Calabria, were officially "banned" from getting sick under a decree issued by Mayor Antonio Torchia. While the announcement may seem absurd at first glance, it was meant to draw attention to the village’s dire healthcare situation.

The decree ordered the town’s 1,200 residents—half of whom are aged 65 or older—to avoid activities that could lead to illness or injury. Citizens were advised not to leave their homes unnecessarily, refrain from travelling or playing sports, and rest as much as possible. They were also urged to steer clear of risky behaviours that might result in accidents.

Speaking to Italian media, Mayor Torchia clarified that the order was a “humorous provocation” intended to spotlight the alarming lack of medical services in the region. “This is not just a provocation,” he told Italian TV. “The ordinance is a cry for help, a way to shine a spotlight on an unacceptable situation.”

Belcastro’s healthcare system is in crisis. The village’s only health centre frequently remains closed, leaving residents with no access to emergency care overnight or during holidays. The nearest emergency facility is in Catanzaro, 45 kilometres (28 miles) away, accessible only by roads that Torchia described as “almost more of a risk than any illness.”

“It’s hard to feel safe when you know that if you need assistance, your only hope is to make it to the emergency room on time,” the mayor said.

The healthcare crisis in Belcastro reflects a broader issue affecting the Calabria region, one of Italy’s poorest areas. Since 2009, 18 hospitals in the region have shut down, forcing residents to seek medical assistance far from their homes. This lack of infrastructure disproportionately affects Calabria’s ageing population, as many villages are largely inhabited by elderly residents due to the migration of younger generations to urban centres.

In 2021, over 75% of Calabria’s 320 towns had populations under 5,000. Some villages have even resorted to offering monetary incentives to attract new residents in a bid to stave off depopulation.

Torchia’s decree may have been tongue-in-cheek, but his frustration with the situation is genuine. He called on regional authorities to address the healthcare shortfall before it’s too late. “If we do not provide essential services, these towns, these villages, will die within 10 years,” he warned.

The mayor also invited sceptics to visit Belcastro to understand the gravity of the problem. “Stay here for a week, and you’ll realise for yourself that if there is a medical emergency, reaching Catanzaro is the only hope. Then tell me if you think this situation is acceptable,” he said.

Meanwhile, while the decree might not be enforceable, it has succeeded in drawing national and international attention to Belcastro’s healthcare challenges.