Italy Launches Sla Care Platform “Ovunque Vicini”

Why this is here: Isa, the digital platform at the heart of the initiative, aims to connect patients with specialist support within four hours of their initial request during a 12-hour service window.

In Milan, Italy, Aisla—the Italian association for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis—presented “Ovunque Vicini,” a new model for specialized care for people with Sla. The initiative partners Aisla with the Serena Foundation and Nemo Clinical Centers.

It received funding from the President of the Council of Ministers’ office and contributions from Intesa Sanpaolo. The project centers on Isa, a digital platform designed to deliver clinical expertise, social support, and ongoing care directly to patients and their families.

Aisla emphasizes that quality of care should not depend on a person’s location. The platform aims to reduce fragmentation and territorial disparities in healthcare access. Alberto Fontana of Nemo Clinical Centers and Grazia Micarelli of Aisla conceived the project, seeking to ensure continuous specialist care even as the disease progresses.

Isa is now available as a free download, offering support requests, telehealth appointments, and social guidance with a goal of initial contact within four hours. The first phase of testing will occur in the regions of Calabria, Basilicata, and Veneto, differing in geography and organization, to assess real-world impact. The work continues as the project expands to more regions.