The Plenary of the Cabildo of Lanzarote has approved this Tuesday the motion presented by the political group of Canarian Coalition (CC), with the vote against the PSOE, to urge the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands to preserve and guarantee the continuity of the healthcare and assistance activity of the Insular Hospital of Lanzarote in its current location, once the restoration of the main building is carried out.
The initiative stems from the need to respond to the serious structural and security problems detected in the building since at least 2019, when technical reports already warned of deficiencies that compromised its functionality. This situation, according to the motion, will force the temporary closure of the building and the relocation of users and professionals, a measure that will finally be executed ensuring that no service is lost, in line with the demands of the center's own workers.
The president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, pointed out that “this agreement reflects the commitment of this Corporation to public health and to the protection of an essential resource for Lanzarote and La Graciosa”. In this regard, he stressed that “we have worked to ensure a transfer under adequate conditions, without reduction of services, and to lay the foundations for a solid future for the Insular Hospital based on technical rigor and responsible planning”.
The motion also highlights the "lack of action by the previous regional government during the so-called Pacto de las Flores (PSOE–Nueva Canarias), to which the island Government attributes a “prolonged inaction” despite knowing the seriousness of the situation". As stated, during that period "provisional solutions were opted for, such as shoring up the building, without addressing the underlying problem or developing a realistic plan for its renovation".
Likewise, the text criticizes the so-called "functional plan" promoted in the previous stage, which "was not approved" and which, as detailed, "did not contemplate hospital beds in the building to be restored and proposed the elimination of the 50 beds of the existing Elderly Residence in the complex, without offering alternatives for this public socio-health resource".
Responsible solution to improve the quality of care and safety
The Councillor for Social Welfare and Inclusion, Marci Acuña, highlighted during the plenary session that “the approval of this motion means opting for a serious solution against proposals that generate uncertainty and lack technical and financial support.” Acuña added that “we defend a model that prioritizes the safety of patients and professionals, the quality of care and respect for the existing building, within a global health plan for the island.”
In the budgetary sphere, the motion highlights the contrast between the healthcare investment of the previous Executive —with an average of 4 million euros annually— and the increase foreseen by the current Government of the Canary Islands, which includes allocations of 5, 7 and 14 million euros between 2024 and 2026, to which is added a contribution of 500,000 euros from the Cabildo in the current fiscal year.
The approved agreement establishes that the continuity of the Insular Hospital will be conditioned by the structural limitations of the property and the urban planning parameters of the plot, as well as by the conclusions of the Master Plan for Health Infrastructures whose presentation is imminent.
Injection of 500,000 euros to reinforce healthcare
In parallel with this initiative, it should be remembered that the president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, recently announced the signing of an agreement with the Ministry of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands to allocate 500,000 euros to improvement actions in health infrastructures and equipment of the island.
This endowment will allow facing the provisional transfer of the Geriatric Day Hospital with all guarantees, ensuring the continuity of care for older people during the rehabilitation of the Insular Hospital. The process has the support of the healthcare teams, guaranteeing both the quality of care and the training of professionals.