ARCHIVED - Mazarron protests against closure of 24-hour emergency service at Puerto de Mazarron health centre

After the summer season the regional ministry of Health has removed the 24-hour emergency service at the Puerto de Mazarrón Health Centre

A crowd of people took to the streets and gathered at the doors of Puerto de Mazarrón Health Centre as the various political groups of Mazarrón Town Council, together with associations and neighbours, congregated on Saturday to demand that the Ministry of Health of the Region of Murcia continue the 24-hour Emergency service throughout the year. The demonstration, organised by Mazarrón Town Hall, illustrated the political and social unity supporting this demand with the presence of around 500 people.

Demands for a 365 day 24-hour emergency service in the Puerto de Mazarrón have been made for many years but it is a common practice by regional health management that, once the summer is over, the 24-hour emergency service closes down.

Although the population of Puerto de Mazarrón quadruples during the summer months the area served from Bolnuevo to La Azohía has a permanent population of almost 13,000 inhabitants who, faced with emergency health needs, are forced to travel to Mazarrón town health centre which struggles with the extra capacity and is 6 kilometres away on regional road (RM 332) which is in a poor state of repair or go to Cartagena along the winding Cuestas del Cedacero road (RM-E22).

The demonstration carried out on Saturday afternoon had the support of citizens, municipal associations and the unanimity of all the municipal political parties and it was announced that more further demostrations would be arranged if a solution to this demand are not found. More protests look likely after a meeting only days previously between the Murcia Ministry of Health and Mazarrón Mayor, Gaspar Miras, accompanied by Deputy Mayor Ginés Campillo on Thursday, September 1, resulted in the Ministry informing the municipal mayors that the 24-service was being withdrawn.

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