The Ministry of Health and the autonomous communities have not reached an agreement to impose the use of masks in health centers in a unitary way throughout the country.
According to what the Ministry of Health has reported, the Ministry has transferred to the communities, within the framework of the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System, a document to which the communities must present their allegations in the next 48 hours, and which reduces the obligation only to health centers, and leaves it as a recommendation in social health centers and pharmacies.
Health sources have reported that the Ministry's proposal aims to offer "the same level of protection for all citizens" and provide legal coverage to the communities that have already decreed it (Valencian Community, Catalonia and Murcia).
In an audio sent to the media, Minister Mónica García pointed out that in the meeting, held telematically, there has been reflection on the use of this measure that she considered "effective and common sense" and that, in addition, is supported by scientific evidence and "is well received by the population".
García has reported that in the meeting the Ministry has collected the initiative of some communities to extend the obligation of its use to pharmacies and has insisted on the need to provide legal support to the communities "of different political colors that have already introduced the obligation in their health systems".
"We have learned after the pandemic and we do not resign ourselves to the pre-pandemic figures," said the minister who has committed to continue working to minimize risks and homogenize health protection for all citizens.
The Council had met this Monday in an extraordinary session and at the request of the Ministry of Health to "unify criteria" in the face of the rebound of influenza and other respiratory viruses and coordinate homogeneous measures throughout the country.
Self-justify sick leave
At the meeting, the Ministry of Health also informed the communities that it is studying together with other ministries the possibility of self-justifying sick leave for the first three days in order to further debureaucratize Primary Care.
García explained that it is a responsible self-declaration that is transferred to the doctor, who acts as an intermediary in some way.
In statements to TVE, the minister insisted that it is a measure demanded by Primary Care for decades, although she has not given a date for its implementation, given that "there is still much to talk about with many actors, and see the consequences".
It is, she stressed, to remove work from Primary Care professionals "who should focus on those processes that add value to their day to day, this would greatly defuse the system".
She explained that the Ministry of Health is in talks with the Ministries of Social Security and Labor, and will be assessed with scientific evidence to see its application. She has also acknowledged that there is still to talk with employers.
