Chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms, such as rights and protections for patients

Essential thrombocythemia, primary myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera are chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms: tumors that affect blood-forming cells and have a major impact on quality of life. Workers who are affected by these diseases are protected by law and have the right to perform tasks that are compatible with their state of health: today, in fact, there are benefits designed to help reconcile the different stages of the disease with their employment. To obtain them, however, civil invalidity or the status of a disabled person must be established. The legislation that establishes the rights of workers affected by pathologies has changed over time and will change again in the future, adapting to new scientific evidence, the requests of patients and the presence of aids and technologies. This is what is reported in an article published in ‘Allies for Health’, the portal dedicated to medical-scientific information created by Novartis, according to which patient associations are a useful point of reference for all issues related to the management of a specific disease, including those relating to the rights of the patient. In the case of chronic myeloproliferative diseases, the associations are mainly Aipamm and Ail. In any case, it is important to inquire at your local health authority, the INPS offices and the social services of your territory to obtain clear and updated information on the administrative procedure to follow in order to submit the various necessary questions. In the case of a request for invalidity and a serious handicap, it is possible to submit only one application to the INPS. One of the most important laws regarding the rights of employees affected by pathologies is 104/1992 which regulates the paid leave and leave of the sick person and a family member (first or second degree, rarely third degree). It is – the article reads – a measure reserved for those with a serious handicap certificate, it consists of 3 days a month or 2 hours a day and is obtained by submitting an application to both the employer and the INPS. In the event that the patient must be assisted by a relative, the family member has the right to 3 days a month or to paid leave which is a maximum of 2 years. There are also further concessions for patients suffering from onco-haematological diseases. The first is to achieve reduced working hours. According to a provision included in Law 61 of 2000, called the Biagi Law, in fact, the sick employee has the possibility to access part-time work or to request telework and not be assigned to night shifts. This is possible only after the medical Commission of the competent Asl has certified that the necessary requirements are met to access the facility. Both businesses and public bodies are then obliged to hire a percentage of staff with disabilities greater than 46%; anyone wishing to take advantage of this opportunity must subscribe to the special compulsory job placement lists. A part of these places can also be reserved for people who have become disabled after hiring, if the disability is greater than 60% (law 68/1999). As regards the protection under social security, each case is assessed individually. It is possible to obtain the ordinary disability allowance and, in the most serious cases, the ordinary disability pension of the INPS. The complete article is available on: https://www.alleatiperlasalute.it/il-dialogo-conta/neoplasie-mieloproliferative-croniche-invalidita-diritti-tutele.