Verona

A professor sacked two years ago for accusing medical staff of professional negligence has been on hunger strike since December 7. Michele Nigro, 56, head pathology consultant at the state hospital of Legnago near Verona, also lost his professorship at the University of Brescia and, although he later won a court decision annulling his sacking, he was refused reinstatement. He has already damaged a kidney and has abdominal complications despite continuing to take liquids.