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Date Published: 31/10/2024

Orihuela Costa denied a second medical centre

The expansion of the current Orihuela Costa health centre is also “on hold”

The Orihuela Costa health centre has been a hot topic of discussion for years, with the local government and regional authorities at odds over whether to expand the existing facility or build a new one. Despite the urgent need for improved healthcare infrastructure in the area, the issue remains unresolved.

The list of issues with the current facilities is a long one, but the most pressing problems for residents are its location and lack of capacity. The medical centre is situated at the back of Cabo Roig strip on Calle Aguamarina, a busy area in itself with very little parking, especially in the summer months. On Thursdays, the local market is held which means even fewer spaces for patients.

As the population of the Orihuela Costa grows year after year, bolstered by an annual influx of foreign residents, the small health centre and its staff team simply can’t cope. And since it’s the only facility of its kind catering to the entire coast, those living in municipalities further away have a bit of a drive if they need medical care.

Back in early October, the councillor for urban planning, Matías Ruiz, announced that the City Council would meet with the regional government to discuss the construction of a second health centre. However, the meeting came and went without any updates or progress.

The Unidos por la Costa neighbourhood association has been pushing for answers, and recently received a response from the Department of Health. According to the department, the expansion and reform of the existing health centre is currently “on hold” due to issues with the property status of the plot where the centre is to be extended.

The saga of the Orihuela Costa health centre has been marked by twists and turns. A year ago, the local government rejected the extension and renovation of the existing facility, opting instead for the construction of a new one. However, the regional government has consistently preferred the reform of the existing centre.

Now, it seems as though the proposal for a second medical centre in northern Orihuela Costa has been taken off the table, so we’re back to square one.

One of the main sticking points is the number of medical cards in the area. To justify the construction of a new health centre, the Health Department requires 25,000 registered people. However, with only 17,000 registered people in Orihuela Costa, the neighbourhood association argues that this requirement is unrealistic.

The association points out that the actual population of Orihuela Costa is much higher than the registered number, with around 40,000 registered people and another 40,000 unregistered. During the summer season, the population swells to more than 150,000, with a significant proportion of residents over 65 years old and with special needs.

It’s worth noting that this one tiny medical centre is also intended to cater to all of the tourists who visit the area.

The neighbourhood association is urging the local government and regional authorities to take action and provide the necessary healthcare infrastructure for the growing population of Orihuela Costa.

With the 2024 financial year drawing to a close, the association warns that the funds allocated for the expansion of the existing centre are at risk of being lost, as was recently seen in Orihuela with millions of euros from Europe.

In other news: Murcia, Valencia and Alicante transport: Trains not running, roads closed

Image: Archive

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