The Cabildo of Lanzarote, led by its president Oswaldo Betancort, participated this Monday alongside the Lanzarote Health Area in a commemorative event for the 75th anniversary of the Lanzarote Insular Hospital, an emblematic center in local health history and a benchmark for geriatrics in the Canary Islands.
The relaxed gathering, held at the hospital's own facilities, served as a tribute to the institution's male and female workers, who have been central to a journey marked by commitment and a vocation for service. The event was also attended by the vice-president of the Cabildo, María Jesús Tovar, the Minister of Social Welfare and Inclusion, Marci Acuña, and the director of the Lanzarote Health Area, Erasmo García, who shared a moment of recognition and celebration with professionals, users, and beneficiaries.
President Oswaldo Betancort congratulated the institution for its "exemplary history of public service," emphasizing that the Hospital Insular "is part of Lanzarote's DNA." "Thousands of families and hundreds of workers have been part of this shared history of dedication, professionalism, and humanity. The Hospital Insular represents the best of our society: the vocation of service and the commitment to caring for people," highlighted Betancort, who reaffirmed the Cabildo's commitment to continue supporting the improvement of the Island's health and social services.
For his part, the Minister of Social Welfare, Marci Acuña, recalled that the Insular Hospital represented "the modernization of healthcare in Lanzarote." He evoked the figure of Dr. José Molina Orosa, who "laid the foundations for a service that became a benchmark for thousands of families," and thanked the professionals who have maintained the center's excellence for decades. "Since 2019 it has been part of the Canary Islands Health Service, and these tributes do justice to its history. The Cabildo must be present at these events because they highlight the care policy we cultivate for our population," he stressed
Marci Acuña also highlighted the figure of Dr. Domingo Guzmán, who as director consolidated the center as a hospital specialized in geriatric care, promoting the creation of different units such as the Acute Unit, the Medium Stay Unit, or the Geriatric Day Hospital. "Likewise, he and the staff were decisive in obtaining accreditation as a reference center in the Canary Islands for MIR training, and facilitated it being the only one in the Archipelago offering training to Resident Intern Nurses (EIR) in the specialty of Geriatric Nursing," he detailed.
A pillar of the community
Vice President María Jesús Tovar highlighted that the Insular Hospital "has been a key piece in the history of Lanzarote." "Without a doubt, this center has coexisted with many generations who have seen it grow and improve over time. It is our duty to continue betting on it, because today it watches over the care of many of our elders," she stated.
The manager of Lanzarote's Health Services, Pablo Eguia, agreed that the Insular Hospital "has been and continues to be a fundamental pillar for the health and well-being of the island. Behind these 75 years are thousands of professionals who, with their dedication and humanity, have made it possible for this hospital to remain a benchmark of proximity and commitment to our patients," he pointed out. Meanwhile, the Director of the Health Area, Erasmo García, recalled the honor it was to lead the Area when the Hospital was integrated into the Canary Islands Health Service, and predicted "a great future" for the institution within the framework of Lanzarote's Health Master Plan.
The Insular Hospital of Lanzarote was founded by the Cabildo 75 years ago and its center code within the National Hospital Catalog is 350249. Its Geriatrics team has received important regional and national awards for decades, such as the second prize for Best Original Work at the XV Conference of the Canary Association for the Prevention of Cardiovascular Risk in 2021, or the award for best scientific communication at the XXXII Congress of the Canary Society of Geriatrics and Gerontology in 2019, among others.