The Canary Islands Parliament has rejected a proposal from the VOX party aimed at ensuring the comprehensive rehabilitation and reopening of the Insular Hospital in Lanzarote. The initiative was dismissed with 56 votes against it from other parliamentary groups.
Nicasio Galván, the VOX spokesperson for the Canary Islands, argued that the Insular Hospital is a vital healthcare facility, particularly noted for its expertise in geriatrics. He emphasised its unique position as one of the few European hospitals specialising in this area, and asserted its long-standing service to the island’s patients.
During the debate, Galván urged other political factions to set aside their partisanship and consider the benefits of the initiative for Lanzarote residents. He highlighted that while the population of the Canary Islands has grown by 7% in recent years, public services have not kept pace with this increase.
Galván also raised concerns about the strain on the region’s healthcare system. “With the same number of healthcare professionals and facilities as in the past, this situation is unsustainable,” he stated.
Despite the proposal’s rejection, VOX reiterated its commitment to the Insular Hospital, pledging to continue advocating for its rehabilitation and the preservation of its medical services. Óscar Pérez, a VOX councillor on the Lanzarote Island Council, revealed plans to pursue the initiative further at the local level. He insisted that action must follow promises, demanding a clear timeline for the hospital’s rehabilitation and reopening.
“VOX will continue to push for this project in all institutions, as the healthcare system in Lanzarote must not be subject to unfulfilled promises. Citizens deserve certainty and timeliness, not further delays,” Pérez concluded.
