Coalición Canaria Responds to Protests Over Hospital Insular
Coalición Canaria Lanzarote has expressed respect for the recent public mobilization advocating for the future of Hospital Insular. They recognise the community’s concerns regarding the healthcare facility, which is integral to the island’s heritage.
The party shares these worries and emphasises the urgent need to address the hospital’s current challenges. Pedro San Ginés, the island secretary, stated, “The risk to the hospital’s future lies not in taking action, but in having ignored its deteriorating condition for four years.”
Coalición Canaria insists on a responsible approach, prioritising the safety of patients and staff. San Ginés affirmed the party’s commitment to addressing the issues based on technical reports, distancing themselves from any populist agendas. He contrasted this with the historical neglect shown by the Socialist Party towards the hospital.
He highlighted that for years, the PSOE maintained a management model that led to the hospital’s decline, keeping it outside the healthcare system under outdated local governance. In contrast, it was Coalición Canaria that facilitated the hospital’s integration into the Canarian Health Service, which modernised the facility and improved patient care.
San Ginés noted that the previous socialist administration was aware of the hospital’s issues since 2019. Coalición Canaria supports moving hospital activities to safe facilities as quickly as possible to ensure continuity of care and quality services.
A July 2023 report from management revealed the hospital’s “grave situation,” declaring the infrastructure unsafe for patients and staff, prompting urgent action from the Canarian Health Service.
The future of the hospital will hinge on alternatives proposed by a forthcoming Master Plan and technical committee evaluations to determine the most suitable solutions. However, Coalición Canaria has assured that the front building will be restored for public service.
The nationalists also confirmed that the elderly care home will continue to operate normally, rejecting any proposed changes that might have been suggested by the PSOE.
Additionally, Coalición Canaria firmly denies opposition allegations about speculative interests regarding the hospital’s future. “Our sole aim is to ensure the safety of users and staff, preserve existing heritage, and restore Hospital Insular for public use, as the current planning doesn’t allow for any other purpose,” San Ginés concluded.
