Dr. Blanca Torres from the Insular Hospital was on the program Buenos días, Lanzarote on Radio Lanzarote-Onda Cero this Tuesday to answer some questions related to the possible closure of the hospital center.
In fact, the center has started a petition on change.org to prevent the closure of the Insular Hospital of Lanzarote, which already has more than 4,500 signatures. To do this, those who wish can click on the link, fill in their personal details, and sign so that this pioneering healthcare service does not disappear.Despite this, the Ministry of Health has denied that the Insular Hospital will be closed and moved to Molina Orosa. In this regard, the doctor explained that "since the end of 2024, we had been told that yes, that **the building did not meet the conditions and that it was advisable to move it**, and we have been given quite a few warnings during 2025"."We haven't received any official information yet, but we do know that the keys to open the emerging diseases building at Molina Orosa have been handed over, which would initially be the new location for the geriatrics service," he continued.
A possible move to a building that would be too small
However, Torres has pointed out that **they remain insufficient facilities for Lanzarote's needs** and that "it will not be able to receive everything that the geriatrics service represents." Furthermore, he indicated that **the building would not be ceded to them entirely**, but rather only a part of it. "There are other services in this building, Lanzarote has much greater health needs than what we currently have because the population has grown a lot," he notedOn the other hand, he explained that they were doing well at the Insular Hospital "until it became clear that we needed another building because the one we have did not meet the required conditions, so we find ourselves with a reduction in services in offices, number of beds, in consultations, and the day hospital would have to stay where it is."In this regard, the doctor has highlighted that **this complicates daily work**. "We cannot work like this because the geriatrics service needs to work together," she stated, emphasizing that **separating the day hospital would lead to a lot of time lost in travel**, which is why "we are very afraid of losing quality in care."
Blanca Torres has stated that the crux of the matter lies in having another building where the same can be done as is done at the Insular Hospital. "If that were the case, we wouldn't worry; all we want is the best for our elders..., but the emerging diseases building does not meet the conditions to care for this group because it is smaller, with fewer windows, etc.," she expressed.
Likewise, he recalled that all the staff at the Hospital Insular, from the kitchen assistants to the doctors and including the cleaning staff, are accustomed to dealing with elderly people, offering them support, confidence, and boosting their self-esteem. "When you become a ward in a general hospital, that will be lost," he said.
They are now awaiting a meeting with the Ministry of Health following the press conference where Nueva Canarias presented a Non-Binding Proposal to prevent the closure of the hospital center.