Journalist Francesca Mannocchi, who has multiple sclerosis, recently shared her struggle to access timely healthcare in Italy.

Despite needing biannual tests to monitor her condition, the earliest public appointment was scheduled for July 2025, 90 kilometers from her home.

Frustrated by delays, she turned to a private clinic, securing an appointment within two days for €680. Mannocchi highlighted the systemic issues in Italy's healthcare, where many cannot afford private care and are left waiting or forgoing essential tests.

Her story, shared on social media, has sparked widespread debate about the erosion of public healthcare rights and the growing inequality in access to medical services.