El Puertito de Güímar to Get Modern Health Center After Years of Planning
El Puertito de Güímar is set to receive a modern, multi-story health center after years of planning, with a temporary clinic proposed to maintain services during construction.
The coastal town of El Puertito de Güímar is finally getting a modern health center. This project, long requested by residents, is moving forward after years of planning. The local government says the project "is underway" with both political and practical support.
Currently, El Puertito has a small clinic, only about 80 to 90 square meters, which isn't big enough for the needs of the people who live there and the tourists who visit.
The new health center is expected to have rooms for family doctors and nurses, a children's doctor, a blood-drawing area, emergency spaces, and areas for tests like ultrasounds.
Francisco Delgado, the city planning councilor, said that the process to transform the area has started. The plan involves using the land where the current clinic is, along with two nearby buildings that used to be schools and have been used for senior activities.
The plan is to build a building up to three stories high. This will allow for separate areas for health and social services, making the best use of the space.
"Last week, we got confirmation from the Primary Care Management that they are interested in the land," Delgado said. A meeting is planned to make sure the location meets all the requirements. If it doesn't, the councilor said they will look for other options.
The town's proposal will be presented for official approval at the next council meeting. If approved, and with the support of the Canary Islands' Ministry of Health, the process of transferring the land and then seeking bids for the project will begin.
"We need to build a center that El Puertito deserves," the councilor said.
While the new health center is being built, Coalición Canaria is suggesting a temporary solution. They will propose using part of the future local senior center as a temporary clinic. This would ensure that medical care continues without interruption during construction.
The temporary clinic would be about the same size as the current one and would have its own entrance, so it wouldn't interfere with the senior center's activities.
The Ministry of Health would pay for the costs of adapting and equipping the temporary clinic, and any improvements made during this time would become a permanent part of the building.