The Málaga Nursing Union, SATSE, has called a demonstration for next Thursday, 24 August at 11:00 at Estepona Hospital against healthcare cuts for budgetary reasons. In a statement from the UGT union at the Hospital Costa del Sol: “It has been decided to close the operating theatres at Estepona Hospital until further notice. This means the return to Marbella Hospital of colleagues who had already moved to Estepona, and an increase in waiting times for patient care”.
Political reactions were quick to follow, such as that of the PSOE Member of the Andalusian Parliament for Málaga, Jose Luis Ruiz Espejo: «We denounce the false opening of Estepona Hospital by Moreno Bonilla and the PP, and that staff were being taken from the Hospital Costa del Sol, reducing its workforce in order to “sell” a new hospital. Here is the truth of what we denounced: closure of the operating theatres!»
The same goes for the PSOE Andalusia secretary general and Senator Juan Espadas: «It is clear that, under the PP, public healthcare in Málaga and Andalusia has reached a point of no return. The Andalusian Government must clarify the situation at Estepona Hospital. Is there only money to open hospitals and not to make them work properly? What is happening with the ‘magnificent’ health budget? Does Mr Moreno think this treatment of patients and professionals is normal? What a disaster!»
At local level, Compromiso Manilva has not stood idly by either, publishing a statement inviting people to attend next Thursday’s demonstration:
«At COMPROMISO MANILVA we support this demand by the SATSE union, which opposes the decision by the SAS and the Junta de Andalucía to close the outpatient operating theatres at Estepona Hospital, which they opened just before the elections as a totally electioneering measure.
At COMPROMISO MANILVA we understand that it is difficult for any administration to launch a new service, but once it has been launched it must be done with the guarantee that it will last over time (the AYUNTAMIENTO DE MANILVA has been paying for the emergency service in our town for more than 20 years) even though it is not its responsibility.
This is to the detriment of the residents of Manilva, and that is why we defend them, as they will once again have to travel to Marbella for any minor outpatient operation, with all that this entails.
-Much longer waits.
-More kilometres to travel.
That is why our party will attend this just protest next Thursday, 24 August at 11:00 in the morning at Estepona Hospital.
Come along and defend quality public healthcare without cuts.»
This hospital must provide the full healthcare service so that residents of Casares, Estepona, Benahavís and Manilva do not have to travel to the Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella.
