‘Conversion’ continues to cause controversy
Platform members comment on possible formula for ‘de-privatisation’ in Torrevieja
A PRESSURE group has voiced opposition to a decree being drawn up by the regional government which they say will create a ‘public healthcare company’ to run Torrevieja health department.
Valencia has informed Ribera Salud – the private health firm which currently runs the area – that they will not renew their contract when it expires in October.
The regional government has always stated that Torrevieja hospital and health department 22 – which covers Orihuela Costa, Torremendo, San Miguel de Salinas, Rojales, San Fulgencio, Benijófar, Formentera, Los Montesinos, Pilar de la Horadada and Torrevieja – will revert to public management.
However, in recent weeks a debate has raged over how exactly this will be done – with the regional health department yet to make a public announcement on their plans. This week the platform ‘Sanidad 100x100 pública’ commented on content which they have seen in the draft of a regional decree.
They claim that this would see a public healthcare company set up, which ‘puts the conversion of the health department at risk’.
“This opens the way for the fragmentation of the public healthcare system in the region,” they stated.
“It would punish the residents of the area, converting them into second class citizens in healthcare attention.”
They claimed that the decree had come into the public domain ‘without transparency or negotiations, hiding from residents the possible benefits and risks’ that this new model of management might have.
The platform also argued that it will give Ribera Salud – which is owned by the USbased multinational Centene Corporation – ‘more ammunition to continue appealing to the courts over the reversion process’.
In a press release, the platform members noted that they were ‘surprised’ by the roadmap chosen by the Valencia government, labelling the public healthcare company a ‘questionable formula’.
At the same time they admitted that the decree ‘does not directly mention Torrevieja health department’ but creates a new way of taking privatised health departments back under public control.
“In order to defend a 100% public healthcare system we should oppose any decree which creates a public healthcare company for the Valencia region, as much as for the way that they are trying to impose it – without dialogue and transparency – as for the other dangers that it could bring.”
They added that the conversion of the Alzira healthcare department from private to public in 2018 allowed for the workforce to be ‘significantly increased’ and opened up the possibility for investment in infrastructure and technology.