Rafael Yanes, the Common Deputy, held a meeting on Monday, January 29, with Vanesa Díaz from Arona, who is leading the social movement advocating for the establishment of a Palliative Care Unit in South Tenerife. This initiative gained momentum after Vanesa’s father had to travel to Santa Cruz de Tenerife for pain treatment. Another participant in the meeting was Carlos Díaz, a member of the advocacy group.
Vanesa Díaz expressed her visit to the Common Council as an opportunity to propel this urgent cause, emphasizing the necessity to prioritize it. She highlighted the time sensitivity for individuals in need of palliative care, stating, “We have managed to gather over 1,000 signatures in support of this effort in just a few days.”
The group revealed the plight of individuals who have to travel up to 100 kilometers daily for pain treatment, as the existing Palliative Care Unit is situated in the Thorax Hospital near La Candelaria, in the capital of Tenerife. They voiced their discontent with what they perceived as administrative mistreatment towards residents of South Tenerife.
Furthermore, Díaz stressed that non-capital islands could also benefit from a Palliative Care Unit in South Tenerife, as it would eliminate the need for them to travel to the metropolitan area.
Deputy Rafael Yanes affirmed the absolute necessity of establishing a Palliative Care Unit in South Tenerife. He stated, “In the last 45 years, the population of the Metropolitan Area has grown by 17%, while that of the South of Tenerife has grown by 357%, necessitating a revision of the Island’s healthcare infrastructure.”
