It has barely been a year since Vanesa Díaz, a resident of Cabo Blanco, initiated a petition on January 15 for a Palliative Care Unit at the Hospital del Sur, and already her efforts have borne fruit. The El Mojón hospital has acquired the first four beds of a total of ten that will comprise the service aimed at alleviating the suffering of patients with terminal conditions.
Vanesa’s father, Andrés, tragically passed away on September 30, 2023, after being diagnosed with an incurable illness just four months prior. In his final days, both he and his family endured immense hardship, making frequent trips to Santa Cruz, situated 75 kilometres from their home, to manage his pain at the Ofra hospital. These long journeys took a significant toll on the patient as well as his family.
Following Andrés’ demise, Vanesa galvanised a large social campaign, which began with DIARIO DE AVISOS, aiming that no other terminally ill patients in the southern region and their families would experience the suffering endured by her, her family, and especially her father.
The aspiration of Vanesa, who directed her advocacy through the website paliativostfsur.es and the association We Are Not Second Nature (www.nosomosdesegunda.com), supported by Valeria Machín and Carlos Díaz, has been validated by the Ministry of Health: the Hospital del Sur now has a palliative care service. This new unit features an outpatient consultation area and an inpatient area that opened on the 17th.
The professionals working in the new module have received specialised training since October to care for both patients and their families. The Palliative Care Unit at the El Mojón facility includes two specialised doctors from the Ofra hospital’s central unit, which is currently the only location on the Island providing treatment for patients.
This service, which will be expanded to accommodate ten beds based on various criteria—including alleviating the pressure on patients who remain hospitalised after being discharged—will eliminate unnecessary transfers for individuals in delicate health. Consequently, this treatment will now be accessible at the southern facility, which also includes a day hospital for cancer care.
Jordi Esplugas, spokesperson for the Pro Hospital Público del Sur Platform, remarked yesterday that the establishment of the Palliative Care Unit is “excellent news” as it addresses a “significant shortfall,” and commended the effort of the citizen group led by Vanesa Díaz. “The community movement has been instrumental and represents another stride for a regional hospital that is expanding at a very slow pace,” he added.
The Primary Care Management of Tenerife, in collaboration with the Hospital de la Candelaria, initiated a home care service three months ago for patients with oncological conditions receiving palliative treatment. This service commenced on October 1 in the municipalities of Guía de Isora and Santiago del Teide, covering nearly 30,000 residents in these basic health zones. Recently, the unit broadened its operational scope to include Adeje (with the town’s health centre and Armeñime clinic), serving an assigned population of 44,130 users.
Vanesa Díaz highlighted yesterday that the No Somos de Segunda association continues to advance with new initiatives and requests aimed at enhancing citizens’ quality of life. “We invite individuals who believe in our goals to join us through our website, where they can choose their preferred way to participate,” said the Aron activist.
