New La Esperanza Medical Center Remains Closed Amid Structural Decay of Old Facility
Residents of La Esperanza remain trapped in a dilapidated, unsafe medical facility as the Canary Islands Ministry of Health delays the opening of a completed 1.6 million euro replacement center.
The new medical center in La Esperanza, El Rosario, remains closed despite the urgent need to move out of the current facility. According to El Día, local officials have declared the relocation a priority because the existing building is falling apart.
A report from municipal technicians, triggered by pieces of the facade falling off, confirms that the 30-year-old building has reached the end of its life. The report highlights serious issues, including dampness, mold, and structural instability that threaten the safety of both patients and staff. Experts argue that trying to repair the building would be a waste of money, as it no longer meets basic health or energy standards.
The El Rosario City Council has finished the new 1.6 million euro facility, which spans over 1,000 square meters and includes six general medicine offices, two pediatric offices, and a dedicated emergency area. The council also completed the necessary utility work on La Sardinera Street to provide access to the site.
Despite this, the Canary Islands Ministry of Health has remained silent about when the center will open. This has created a standoff between local and regional authorities. While the city has provided the land and completed the surrounding infrastructure, the Ministry—which oversees healthcare—has offered no explanation for the delay.
As a result, the residents of La Esperanza are forced to rely on a building that is not only unfit for medical care but also potentially dangerous due to severe structural decay. The regional government’s lack of communication continues to leave the community in limbo, directly impacting the quality of local healthcare.