The Minister of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, Brígida Mendoza, visited the Insular Hospital of Lanzarote this Thursday together with the Minister of Social Welfare, Inés Rojas. This is the first visit by a Health official of the Canary Islands Executive, at least, in the last "three or four legislatures", as confirmed by the Councilor of the Cabildo, Marci Acuña. "This is the positive news of today, because it is historic," said Acuña, despite the fact that the media had not been informed about this visit.
The Cabildo has taken advantage of this assistance to raise its historical claim again, that is, for the Government of the Canary Islands to assume the management of the Insular Hospital, considering that this center offers "purely health services". "We want the financing to be improved or the integration of those services that are health-related to proceed. We do not care which route is adopted, because what it is about is to significantly improve the financing, also of the attached residence, of a socio-health nature, which welcomes the elderly of Lanzarote," insisted the Councilor of the Cabildo.
Marci Acuña has assured that he has noticed "a good predisposition" on the part of both councilors. However, he understands that the current economic situation makes it difficult for the increase in financing or the transfer of powers of the Insular Hospital to the Government of the Canary Islands to occur immediately. "Perhaps the definitive solution will not come this first year, but in several years," he stated.
And it must be remembered that the Cabildo spends about 7 million euros annually on this hospital, something that is "more difficult to assume" each year. The Ministry of Health invests about 5 million euros, according to Acuña, who also pointed out that both councilors have been "pleasantly surprised" by the quality, service and way of working of the Insular Hospital of Lanzarote.
In addition to Mendoza, Rojas and Acuña, the director of the hospital center, Domingo de Guzmán, as well as the socialist deputy Manuel Fajardo, among other representatives, were also present at this visit.