ELA denounces the “precarious situation” of the Iztieta health centre in Errenteria (Gipuzkoa), which has affected workers and patients. Staff decreases from 18 to 12 doctors and nurses double their work due to a lack of personnel. Patients’ “malaise” and “anger” have increased and significant delays in appointments are occurring.

The situation in the health centre has worsened in recent months and there may be further cutbacks in the future, the union has warned. Through the demonstrations held on December 16, 2023 and February 3 of this year and the meetings of firms held by different groups of the municipality, the citizens have expressed their disagreement with the situation. The Euskadi Public Health Defense Platform accused the Basque Government of “failing” its requests to strengthen the public health system at the demonstration on March 16.

Unable to agree

The neighborhood associations of Errenteria, the Feminist Movement, Bilgune Feminist and the Movement of Pensioners Dignity held a plenary meeting on 30 January with the aim of improving the situation of primary care. The City Hall of Errenteria committed itself to making efforts to solve the problem and contacted the Health Advisor, Gotzone Sagardui. In view of the decision taken by the City Hall, the Health Advisor expressed its “strongest rejection” and stated that the lack of staff was the responsibility of the State Government as a result of the retirements.