Tenerife South Residents Demand Long-Awaited Public Hospital Amidst Decades of Broken Promises
Residents of southern Tenerife are demanding a fully equipped public hospital after decades of unfulfilled promises, citing the region's significant population and economic contribution as justification for immediate healthcare infrastructure development.
People in the south of Tenerife are speaking out again. For over thirty years, the population has grown, and promises have been broken. Now, residents and community groups are demanding a proper public hospital with all the necessary services. This is for a population of over 300,000, which nearly doubles with temporary workers and tourists.
These groups feel their situation is "unacceptable." Even though the south is one of the most populated areas and the island's main economic driver, people with serious illnesses or injuries still have to rely on the University Hospital of Nuestra Señora de Candelaria (Hunsc). This hospital is over 80 kilometers away. Thousands of people travel weekly for specialized care. They also point out that the current facility in El Mojón "cannot be considered a hospital" because it lacks complete medical, surgical, and maternity services.
For thirty years, the project for a Southern Hospital has been announced as completed, but it never happened. They say that "after each election, the work was put off again." Because of this, citizen groups are asking the Parliament of the Canary Islands, the Cabildo of Tenerife, the local councils of the South and Southwest, and even the State Government to ensure a modern, functional hospital is built and fully integrated into the Canary Islands Health Service.
They support the Platform for a Public Hospital in the South and Southwest. They believe a "real hospital" would not only "fix inequalities" but also boost the region's social and economic growth by creating jobs and easing the strain on other hospitals on the island. They are calling for comprehensive services, including medical, surgical, maternity, central, and mental health care, as well as intensive care units, palliative care, diagnostic imaging, a blood bank, and home hospitalization.
With the belief that "health shouldn't depend on politics," they are urging public institutions, private companies, unions, and social organizations to work together to make this long-awaited healthcare facility a reality.
The towns of Arico, Granadilla, San Miguel, Vilaflor, Arona, Adeje, Guía de Isora, and Santiago del Teide all agree: "The South urgently needs a hospital now."