Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 28 Mar. (Europa Press) –
Representatives from the National Health Federation of Intersindical Canary Islands have articulated to the Deputy of the Common in Santa Cruz de Tenerife the necessity of establishing a ‘Health Pact’ across the Islands, considering the current condition of hospitals in the Canaries and public health overall.
The Deputy of the Common, Lola Padrón, alongside the primary health representative, Antonio Alarcó, convened with the Canary Islands representatives, Catalina Darias Delgado and Ruymán Pérez Sánchez, to discuss these pressing issues in the islands.
The Diputación del Common has taken the initiative to engage with unions, concerned about the challenges arising in emergency services, health transport, and the shortage of personnel in sector healthcare.
Union representatives have highlighted various issues, including the state of the Insular Hospital of Lanzarote and the mental health concerns at the Unit of the Maternal Children’s University Hospital Complex (Chumi) in Gran Canaria.
They also touched upon the ongoing operations of the Emergency Department at Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria (Hunsc) hospital and the “arbitrary” appointments made by the Canary Health Service, affecting both Heads of Services and Heads of Section, in addition to the Emergency Department at the University Hospital of the Canary Islands (HUC).
Ruyman Pérez stressed that the situation regarding the child unit of the Maternal and Child University Hospital Complex (Chumi) in Gran Canaria, particularly with respect to mental health, “is a true disaster”, asserting that despite filing “multiple complaints, management shows no concern.”
Specifically, he indicated that the main issue lies in the fact that “it opened on a shared floor and has been improvised.” He reassured that there is no dedicated space for professionals to carry out their work, with interviews held in the cafeteria instead.
He further explained that there is no distinct area within the emergency room, and that the boxes fail to meet essential standards such as “security glass.” Overall, he concluded that the situation is “quite precarious, leading many professionals to leave due to the conditions, with management offering no responses or solutions.”
“The only explanation we receive is that the hospital is small, and expansion works will continue until 2027,” he added.
Lola Padrón, on her part, emphasised the seriousness of the issues raised, particularly those concerning mental health and the concerns regarding the child population as reported by the Maternal and Child University Hospital Complex (Chumi) in Gran Canaria.
“This is exceedingly alarming, and urgent action must be taken immediately,” she said.
Monitoring the Situation
In parallel, the Federation representatives elucidated how “the persistent low investment” in human, material, and infrastructural resources, alongside labour overload, welfare challenges, precariousness, and legal insecurities, adversely affects the workers.
Cati Darias expressed the intention of the meeting was to gather essential information and to begin the necessary actions to address the existing issues within the SCS.
Among the topics discussed, there was also a focus on the progress of the staffing stabilisation process, measures to be taken to retain professionals and prevent them from relocating to other regions, and negotiations regarding employment listings and transfers.
It was noted that the departures that have occurred at the HUC are “of a medical nature and stem from resignations due to the conditions faced by professionals. Thus, it is “critical and urgent” to stabilise positions and eliminate the temporary contracts affecting both sector professionals and patients.
The Diputación del Common has reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring and engaging with the Ministry of Health of the Canarian Government.
