On Monday morning, around 100 people gathered outside the Patricio Pérez Health Centre in Torrevieja to demand more resources for public healthcare and increased per capita health spending in the region. The protest, organized by the group “Sanidad 100% Pública y de Calidad,” coincided with World Health Day and involved a temporary road closure that disrupted central traffic for over half an hour.
Protesters highlighted that the Torrevieja health department receives just €1,022 per resident, far below the Valencian Community average of €1,586, and significantly less than the Spanish national average of €1,994. Asturias leads in healthcare investment, with €2,422 per capita. The Torrevieja figure also fails to account for its large seasonal population, further straining limited resources.
The group is urging the Valencian government to match national healthcare spending levels in 2025. They also called on Torrevieja’s mayor and regional deputy, Eduardo Dolón (PP), to publicly defend the area’s public health system. Protest leaders criticized his current silence, noting his previously vocal stance on healthcare issues under the former left-wing regional government.
Local PSOE councillors, led by spokesperson Bárbara Soler, and members of Izquierda Unida also attended in support.
CURRENT ISSUES IN PRIMARY CARE
The Patricio Pérez Health Centre, officially named Dr. José Giménez Health Centre, is experiencing delays of 7 to 10 days for primary care appointments. Despite changes in management—from private company Ribera Salud to direct public management in November 2021 under the previous government, and now under President Carlos Mazón—these delays remain unchanged.
Some doctors lack full MIR training (the Spanish medical residency program), and appointment books are being closed to avoid reflecting long wait times in official statistics. This long-standing tactic, common in specialized care, is now being used in primary care too.
While queue and appointment management systems have recently improved thanks to new technology introduced by the regional health department, deeper systemic issues persist.
ONGOING ACTIVISM
This protest follows a recent demonstration in Guardamar, where the same platform demanded:
- A public transport line between Guardamar and Torrevieja Hospital
- The expansion of the Guardamar health centre, a promise that remains unfulfilled by the regional government
The platform continues to organize protests across the ten municipalities served by the Torrevieja health department, including Orihuela Costa, Pilar de la Horadada, Rojales, and San Miguel de Salinas, among others.
