Tacoronte-El Sauzal Health Center Expansion Set to Begin After Two-Decade Delay

After two decades of delays, the expansion of the Tacoronte-El Sauzal health center finally appears to be moving forward, thanks to persistent pressure from local residents. A users' association, formed a year ago, has successfully pushed the Primary Care Management to commit to starting construction in the final quarter of this year.

The project, overseen by the regional government, is set to cost nearly six million euros. It will be completed in three stages over an estimated 26 months. To keep the project on track, officials have promised to publish the tender documents on the Public Sector Contracting Platform by the end of this month.

This progress follows years of broken promises, budget issues, and poor planning. The project has faced numerous setbacks since 2006, including inadequate initial studies, economic downturns, and the withdrawal of a construction firm after the government failed to adjust for rising costs.

To ensure the project actually happens, the neighborhood association is now seeking an institutional motion. They are calling for a formal monitoring commission—made up of representatives from the Canary Islands government, local municipalities, and patients—to oversee the timeline and ensure the Ministry of Health provides the necessary funding. This project is vital for the 20,000 residents who rely on the center for healthcare.

Given the history of failed announcements, residents remain cautious. For them, the upcoming tender is the first real sign of progress after years of stagnation that have hampered local healthcare services.