Valverde (El Hierro), 20 (Europa Press)
The president of the Cabildo de El Hierro has on Thursday opposed the establishment of an emergency hospital to cater to migrants arriving on the island and expressed support for enhancing the healthcare resources of the Canary Health Service (SCS).
“It does not contribute to any improvement,” he stated in remarks to Europa Press, responding to the request from the Government of the Canary Islands and the Parliament itself—along with the rejection from PSOE and the abstention of Vox—to set up a temporary hospital in light of the ongoing influx of migrants to the island, particularly with expectations for the upcoming summer and the ‘descent of the Virgen de los Reyes’.
He remarked that the suggestion “lacks rationale” since healthcare responsibilities fall under the jurisdiction of the Canarian government, and what is sought is a transfer of these duties to the Ministry of Health. He also noted that he does not support an extension to the Insular Hospital in Valverde, particularly after residents of La Restinga have opposed it.
“What is necessary is to either double or enhance the number of healthcare professionals on El Hierro Island, nothing more; that alone is sufficient. First aid is already provided at the foot of the dock in Restinga, cases requiring hospitalisation are taken there, and those in truly critical condition are airlifted to Tenerife,” he elucidated.
President Herreño reiterated that “everything is protocolised” and that there is clarity on “how to proceed”. He acknowledged that during the weekend of the ‘decline’, there will be a significant surge in population, which can be managed with additional personnel and temporary units to extend services in conjunction with the Insular Hospital.
“The emergency hospital does not serve to address any existing gap in healthcare with regard to migration,” he affirmed, emphasising that the “main challenge” lies in determining the adequacy of healthcare professionals, as facilities are equipped with a network of health centres and the hospital itself.
“If health centres are bolstered and pressure is alleviated at the Nuestra Señora de los Reyes hospital, we will achieve substantial progress, and if there are instead four emergency doctors in the hospital rather than one, we will undoubtedly be able to attend to all who present to us,” he concluded.
