Italy’s National Health Institute President, Walter Ricciardi has resigned, alleging that the Italian government is risking public health by supporting unscientific policies and procedures
The President of Italy’s National Health Institute, a primary health research organisation, Walter Ricciardi has resigned claiming that the government of Italy has been promoting non-scientific procedures, especially in the case of vaccines, thereby risking public health.
After assuming power in June, Italy’s Five Star Movement party vowed to revoke a law that made at least 10 vaccines compulsory for children in Italy. This was followed by the Deputy Prime Minister, Matteo Salvini calling the 10 vaccines “too much”.
Responding to Matteo Salvini’s comment, the head of National Health Institute asserted, “It’s clear that when the Deputy Prime Minister says that he, as a father, believes there are too many obligatory, useless and dangerous vaccines, that’s not just unscientific, it’s anti-scientific.” Walter Ricciardi went on to dismiss many recent government claims like that of migrants bringing in diseases with them. He also stated that government’s assumption insisting on the ineffectiveness of waste-to-energy plants was just as “nonsensical”.
The resignation of the President of Italy’s primary health research organisation has come after the Italian Health Minister, Giulia Grillo fired the entire board of Italian health council. The Minister justified the action by saying she wanted to “open the door to other deserving personalities”.
During November’s measles epidemic, on the advice of Italy’s health committee, the government called for 800,000 infants, kids, and young adults to be vaccinated.
Referring to the Italian government’s chaotic approach to health, Walter Ricciardi said, “It’s an approach taken by populists who have great difficulty interacting with science”.
