Italian Village Bans Residents from Falling Sick in Bold Cry for Help

In an unprecedented move, the mayor of Belcastro, a small village in southern Italy’s Calabria region, has issued an official decree banning residents from becoming ill. The order—issued by Mayor Antonio Torchia—aims to highlight the serious deficiencies in local healthcare services.

The unusual ruling instructs residents to "avoid contracting any illness that may require emergency medical assistance" and to refrain from activities that could lead to accidents. The mayor suggested that people stay indoors as much as possible to reduce the risk of falling sick.

Mayor Torchia described the decree as a "cry for help," intended to draw attention to the dire healthcare situation in Belcastro. He explained that the region has suffered from inadequate healthcare infrastructure, with 19 hospitals closing since 2009 due to mafia influence and political mismanagement.

Residents of Belcastro—around 1,200 in total—face a significant challenge when seeking medical care, as the nearest Accident & Emergency department is over 45 kilometers away. The local doctor's surgery is rarely open and lacks after-hours service. Most residents are also without health coverage, exacerbating their vulnerability in times of medical need.

Toriba hopes the bold initiative will prompt political and health authorities to take immediate action to address the community's healthcare crisis. If no improvements are made, he has vowed to escalate the issue to the Public Prosecutor's Office.