Miguel Lázaro, the president of the Medical Union of the Balearic Islands (named Simebal), warned yesterday before the Health Commission of the Parliament, that “350 doctors are missing” in Primary Care in the islands. He insists on avoiding the “exodus” of professionals to other territories, requesting loyalty measures.
“Primary care is on the verge of entering the ICU”. With this metaphor, the president of the medical union, who was called to the Commission to present proposals to improve the Balearic health system, urged MEPs to take action. “It is up to you,” he said.
Among other issues, Lázaro called for “start the return operation” of doctors. He also urged action to ensure that the 500 residents who are being trained in the Balearic Islands remain in the Balearic Islands.
In this sense, Miguel Lázaro denounced the fact that while resources are being invested in training doctors who then leave, professionals with non-approved qualifications are being recruited to make up for the shortage of doctors.
To ensure the fidelity of professionals, Simebal offers various actions. One of them is to put the insularity bonus at the same level as professionals in the Canary Islands. Other actions include approving a collective agreement for residents and, fundamentally, improving working conditions.
A 48-hour workweek
In this respect, Lázaro points out that doctors work 48 hours per week, compared with 37.5 hours for other public servants. He is asking for better wages and also warns of excessive seasonal work, work overload and discrimination against doctors with work-life balance measures.
In the context of the pandemic, it also calls for doctors to be considered as staff at risk, pointing out that 118 doctors have died in Spain as a result of the coronavirus. “How many categories of 118 lives were placed on the table,” he asked.
They call for doctors to “start the return operation” and to take steps to keep the 500 residents in training on the islands.
On the other hand, other Simebal proposals include encouraging senior doctors to continue to work, a technological investment plan, the expansion of operating theatres, the renovation of equipment, increasing socio-health and mental health resources and improving palliative care.
Historic healthcare debt
The president of Simebal admitted that all these actions “if there is no funding, they are more a desire than a reality”. On this topic, he raised various aspects, beginning with the “historical health debt” resulting from the transfer of competences since 2002.
Simebal put this debt at 2.8 billion euros and urged the MPs to demand it from Madrid. In this regard, Lázaro pointed out that 42% of citizens chose to have private insurance. “Can you imagine what would happen if there were no private coverage?
Finally, he proposed to improve funding through the billing of foreigners as well as to implement an “ecotax on health” since tourists “consume health resources”. According to him, all that money does not remain in the Balearics.
He also requested that the special regime for the Balearic Islands (REB) be provided.