The deputy for Lanzarote and La Graciosa and insular president of Nueva Canarias-Bloque Canarista (NC-BC), Yoné Caraballo, has publicly denounced, along with Dr. Blanca Torres, the president of the works council of the Hospital Insular, Ariel Bonilla, and his colleague, the intentions of the Canary Islands Government, through the Ministry of Health and the Management of the Health Services of the Lanzarote Health Area, to close the Hospital Insular as a reference geriatric hospital to turn it into another ward of the Doctor José Molina Orosa Hospital.
Caraballo explained that, after requesting documentation from the Ministry, he has had access to reports that "show the intention to occupy the Insular Hospital building, following an official notification issued on December 4th." This fact, they point out, "explains the reactivation of pressure to transfer services and personnel to Molina Orosa."
Regarding the state of the property, the requested technical report acknowledges the structural deterioration typical of a building over 75 years old, but clearly concludes that no immediate measures are necessary, as there is no risk to safety. Despite this, Caraballo denounces that, for the second consecutive year, "neither in the 2025 nor the 2026 Canary Islands General Budgets has a single euro been allocated for the reform or reconstruction of the Insular Hospital, nor is there any project." "If there is no funding or project, why the rush?" question members of the party, who warn of "a hidden intention to progressively dismantle the hospital to convert it into an exclusively socio-health center."
Faced with this situation, the deputy has registered a Non-Legislative Proposal (PNL), drafted with contributions from Dr. Blanca Torres, which will be debated in the first plenary session of the Parliament of the Canary Islands in 2026. The objective is to achieve a broad parliamentary majority that guarantees the continuity of the Insular Hospital of Lanzarote as a geriatric hospital
NLP includes, among other key points:
- The need for a project and economic funding for the restoration of the building.- The commitment of the Ministry of Health to **establish a clear timetable** before any transfer of services.- The **guarantee of return of all services** transferred during the restoration phases.- The **participation of the professionals** at the Insular Hospital in the process, agreeing on the best conditions for users and staff.- The permanent guarantee of **quality of care and respect for geriatric specialization**, even in situations of hospital collapse.From NC-BC they insist that the Insular Hospital "does not belong to any political party or any public office," but rather is the heritage of the people of Lanzarote and the Canary Islands.“We have a collective responsibility (professionals, politicians, unions, and society in general) to guarantee its continuity with full guarantees for the elderly,” concludes Yoné Caraballo.
