- Patience is the palliative of all wounds, patient relief. For years we have been demanding health care in Basque, both oral and written, respectful and able to respond in the best possible way to health needs. Quality health care. We are also the ones who write in Euskera the clinical history of patients, as is necessary.
That is bilingualism: if the patient is Spanish and if she is Basque, in Basque. Everyday war work. The answer we have received has been disappointing: they want to impose an automatic translator so that the little in Basque is in Spanish, while everything else is given to us only in Spanish. As patients and taking advantage of the opportunity, concrete and feasible proposals must be made to Osakidetza.
There are many things to pick up. First of all, if there is a real will to increase the presence of the Basque Country, it is essential that all the complementary tests are also offered in Basque. Thus, patients and professionals would get used to seeing the texts in Basque, naturally assuming bilingualism. On the other hand, for the workers, it can be a great help to improve our Basque country. We are not imposing Euskera, not Euskaldunifying Osakidetza from morning to night: we only want complementary tests in bilingual.
"The answer we have received has been disappointing: they want to impose an automatic translator so that the little in Basque is in Spanish, while everything else is given to us in Spanish"
Secondly, it has been shown that very fine language requirements do not guarantee health care in Basque unless specific measures are taken. To do this, the itineraries in Basque are essential: from primary care to specialized care in oral and written form in Basque (clinical history in Basque), prioritizing linguistic parity between patients and professionals. A formalized circuit in which the health staff is Euskaldun and once a translator is established, if necessary.
Third, a research protocol for bilingual areas that takes language into account. A study based on questionnaires conducted entirely in Spanish, for example, or excluding minorities, is not acceptable. Studies that take into account language and gender. This is not a challenge, but an opportunity: an opportunity to foster collaboration between HD institutions and agents.
The importance of language in health care must be incorporated into continuing training within Osakidetza, through specific programmes, on the one hand, indirectly, while encouraging research in this area.
There is also the issue of standards, and it has been proposed in Parliament, the standards that can complement the III Euskera Plan that will come and that can include contributions from patients and social agents.
We have been betting on Euskaldunes patients for years. You can't accept a hierarchy among patients, you can't give up equity. Begging is not a thief or a shame. The demands we make are feasible, legal, compatible with the institutions at the service of our society, attractive and effective. A unique opportunity for our organizations to be a global benchmark; a great opportunity to improve patient care. Let us not be insinuations, because the best path is understanding and consensus. III Congress of Osakidetza We have the Euskera Plan: it is a great responsibility, more opportunity. Please listen to the voice of the health personnel, because that is where the Basque Service will find a good harvest. Let's not have the liver of ants for dinner.