People across the western Costa del Sol will take to the streets today, Thursday, to demand that the Junta de Andalucía fully open the Estepona High Resolution Hospital (CHARE), which continues to operate at 20% of its capacity despite being fully equipped.
The demonstration, organised by the Plataforma por la Apertura Íntegra del Hospital de Estepona, will take place this evening at 19:00 outside Estepona Town Hall. In Manilva, the Town Hall, together with some local parties and residents’ groups, has voiced its support for the mobilisation, encouraging residents to take an active part.
An underused hospital with limited services
According to the organising platform, the hospital has no operational inpatient wards or operating theatres, and of the 20 medical specialities originally planned, only 7 are active.
The emergency department lacks sufficient staff and resources, and at weekends no blood tests or diagnostic tests can be carried out, which prevents adequate and timely healthcare.
Residents complain that this partial operation forces patients in the area, including those from Manilva and Casares, to travel to the Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella to receive specialist medical care.
Support from Manilva Town Hall
Manilva’s health councillor, Juan Carlos Morejón, has highlighted the importance of this demonstration for the municipality’s residents, recalling that “many people from Manilva depend directly on Estepona Hospital for healthcare”.
Morejón has insisted that the public “must unite with one voice to demand a dignified and fully operational public health service in the region”.estepona
Some of the local parties call for mobilisation on their social media
Manilva’s local parties PSOE and Compromiso have expressed their support for the demonstration through messages on their official social media accounts.
Manilva’s PSOE posted:
🏥💪 For decent healthcare on the Costa del Sol!
📢 We demand the full opening of Estepona Hospital NOW!
The screenings are failing, the system is failing. Our health cannot go on waiting.
Manilva’s PSOE supports this demonstration. 🌹💪👌
Neighbours, let us unite to demand what is fair:
➡️ A fully operational hospital.
➡️ Sufficient human and material resources.
➡️ Decent and accessible healthcare for everyone.
🗓 Public demonstration:
📅 Thursday, 30 October
🕖 19:00
📍 Outside Estepona Town Hall
💬 Your voice counts. Your presence matters.
💚 Your health, our priority.
For its part, Compromiso Manilva shared the following message:
🟢 Compromiso Manilva supports the 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐚 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥, promoted by this platform.
😡 It is deplorable that our neighbours in Manilva, Casares or Estepona have to travel to the Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella to be treated.
📅 This Thursday, 30 October, you can’t miss it!!!
📍 Outside Estepona Town Hall – 19:00
💪 𝐖𝐞’𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮?
A common cause on the western Costa del Sol
The full opening of Estepona Hospital is a demand shared by residents and groups across the whole region.
Manilva points out that this healthcare centre is essential to relieve pressure on the Marbella hospitals and to improve medical care in municipalities such as Casares, Benahavís and Gaucín.
Remember: 📢 The date is this Thursday, 30 October, at 19:00 outside Estepona Town Hall.
