The director of the Lanzarote Health Area, Erasmo García, was on the program Buenos días, Lanzarote on Radio Lanzarote-Onda Cero this Wednesday to answer some questions about the future of the Insular Hospital.
García began by saying that he is **not going to create social alarm** because "there are things that do not align with reality." In this regard, **he sent a message of reassurance to citizens**, assuring them that "the quality of care will continue to be maintained."He also clarified that "there is a categorical report that reflects that **the structure of the building is not in the best condition** and, furthermore, it technically advises us that **it must be abandoned** in order to carry out reforms if the law permits or to take any action in that regard."
In this way, he specified that the transfer of the Insular Hospital is not urgent, but "we are looking at what we have to do because the building has to meet different standards to be a healthcare center in proper condition." Thus, he stated that "what is clear is that we have to leave there."
Regarding the public's fear that the temporary relocation of the hospital might become permanent due to the lack of a project and budget so far, the director has once again asked for calm from the citizens and has announced that "the **Master Plan**, which is the most advanced, **will be finalized at the end of March or the beginning of April**, and we will hold an exhaustive press conference on the island's health situation so that people are clear about the health model we want for the island, the functional plan to be implemented, the phases, the location, and the financing that all of this would entail. But in the meantime, what is clear is that we have to leave the Insular Hospital."However, this transfer "is something that doesn't happen overnight because it needs to be well planned once the Master Plan is in place".
In addition, he also explained that the emerging diseases building at Molina Orosa is awaiting reception by the Ministry of Health, as works still need to be completed inside, although he has stated that "its facilities are better than those of the general hospital and, on the other hand, the elderly need a series of internal medicine services that we have nearby."
A Geriatric Model That "Isn't Going to Change"
One of the main fears of patients, families, and healthcare staff at the Insular Hospital is that the care for the elderly will change with this transfer to Molina Orosa. The director of the Lanzarote Health Area has assured that "the geriatrics model on the island will undoubtedly not change".
Furthermore, another important issue regarding **teaching with residents** has been stated as "it **will not be lost at all**, on the contrary, because residents will be able to attend to more services, as they have the emergency room nearby and can go through the different services, and they will have, let's say, better training."