Protest in Elche this Saturday against the extension of private management of the Vinalopó Hospital

The Platform for the Reversion of Vinalopó has called for a rally this Saturday, March 22, at 11:00 a.m. at the Vinalopó Hospital in Elche to express their opposition to the decision announced by the Health Minister, Marciano Gómez, to extend the private management of the Elx-Crevillent health department for another five years.

This was revealed on Tuesday at a press conference held at the hospital's entrance, where María Dolores Juan, a member of the Platform, emphasized that "people's health is not a business, it is a right."

She added: "I find it regrettable that people's health is being played with in this manner. We are still waiting for the information requested from the Health Department and with which they supposedly justify the extension. They have also not responded to the Ombudsman, violating the legal obligation to cooperate, nor has the health council been convened. Therefore, we have requested a meeting with the Vinalopó commissioner."

Juan also indicated that on the same day the Valencian Government's decision to extend Ribera Salud's management of the only public hospital in the Valencian Community that depends on a private company was announced, "there was an avalanche of resignations" by the center's professionals, "who cannot endure five more years here under these conditions," according to a statement from the Platform.

Meanwhile, Josefina Egea, another member of the Platform, has called on the public to "gather this Saturday in defense of public services" and for Health to "not dismantle the public sector," in order to "not lose rights." At the same time, she questioned "what this Valencian Government owes to the Ribera Salud group to sell the healthcare of the citizens it represents."

Regarding the announcement of the second health center in Crevillent, Melania Martínez, from the Platform, stated that she does not believe it will be built: "Neither do they, because if they did, they would be saying it firmly and not linking it to a possible expansion. What they want is to demobilize the public, and they will not succeed."