Looking back, it would be difficult to imagine three months ago that I would be writing an opinion article of this nature today. A health emergency of this nature was not part of the mental scheme of each of us. Unfortunately, the present indicates that this adversity has become real and that, therefore, we must assume it from individual responsibility, from scientific and health efforts, and of course from institutional commitment.
An international health crisis of this magnitude can be conceived in two terms; on the one hand, diverting attention and thinking that things return to normal naturally and inventing a parallel reality (read Administration Trump), or, on the other hand, assuming the public administration the role that corresponds to it by responsibility.
This is where the objective of the Pact for the Social and Economic Reactivation of the Canary Islands is framed, which unites all the political, social and economic agents of the Canary Islands in an exceptional and extraordinary agreement in the face of the greatest adversity that our land has had as a result of the health emergency; COVID-19, with unprecedented repercussions on our economy and social structure.
The Pact, which will have to be approved in Parliament, incorporates commitments and strategic lines, and includes the essential task of establishing an adequate budgetary framework so that the Autonomous Community of the Canary Islands can implement a set of measures to meet all social needs and reactivate its economy. This Pact bases its legitimacy of action on five strategic priorities, which revolve around the maintenance of fundamental public services (health, education, social rights), the strengthening of our health and social health capacity, the care and support of vulnerable people, job recovery, and the promotion of economic activity.
All these strategic priorities are key to the new scenario we have to face. But allow me to value the strengthening of the health capacity that appears first in this document (all being extremely important), and that I find it a success in the way it is conceived.
If we want to minimize the impact of a new epidemic episode, we have to strengthen a series of health capacities that give us the opportunity to act early and efficiently, without this implying a decrease in ordinary healthcare activity, establishing the necessary means through indicators and surveillance protocols, so that we can monitor new suspected and confirmed cases.
This backbone in health matters is presided over by the commitment of the necessary budgetary resources so that from our autonomous community we can; among other things, increase the capacity of the Canarian laboratories to carry out daily tests (PCR), and their processing to be able to confirm or rule out possible cases as soon as possible.
A budgetary commitment to promote the necessary investments in hospital spaces that guarantees the implementation of infection prevention and control measures in all its areas, having sufficient stock of personal protective equipment for healthcare personnel and patients. At the same time, the Pact highlights the need to undertake the necessary investments to guarantee that hospitals have an additional increase in beds for acute and critical patients. In the case of critical patients, the aim is to double the number of resources that can be activated in less than 48 hours compared to the usual situation.
The strengthening of the Primary Care network is another key piece in the strategy, and I am sure that many medical professionals will agree with me that this part, sometimes so forgotten, seems essential to us to address health strategies as a whole and more efficiently, including this one of Covid-19. A strengthened Primary Care brings with it quality care for users. Congratulations for being so clearly reflected in the document.
There are many aspects that I could continue to address, but above all and as a spokesperson on health matters for the Socialist Parliamentary Group, I want to express that I embrace this document from now on, and that it fulfills the commitment of those of us who are committed to public and quality healthcare as a guarantor of equity among Canarians.
Marcos Hernández Guillén
Health Spokesperson for the Socialist Parliamentary Group
