According to the Basque Government, this is a first contact to lay the foundations and methodology for the future of Basque health care. Several political parties, social actors, professional associations, universities and trade unions will participate in the meeting, with the exception of ELA.
ALS | EITB MEDIUM
After the summer period, the new political year begins in Euskal Herria, and that with one main topic on the table: healthThe search for formulas to improve care in Osakidetza has become one of the priorities of the Basque government.
So this Thursday, September 5thall the relevant agents have been called to the table on Basque public health to roll out the much-vaunted Health Pact, with the aim of reaching a broad agreement that is expected to be concluded within a period of six months, that is, in March next year.
The meeting, which will take place in Bilbao at 11:00, will be attended by various political parties, social agents, trade unions, professional associations and universities. According to the Basque government, the willingness of the entities called has been “positive”, with the exception of the ELA union, which has already announced that it will not participate in this first meeting. The Abertzale union believes that Osakidetza needs “urgent and structural changes” more than just a new table.
Vox will also not participate in the meeting. As in the contact round, the Lehendakari, Imanol Pradales, has decided to abstain from the far-right party for this meeting.
The meeting will be chaired by the Lehendakari of the Basque Government, Imanol Pradales together with the Minister of Health, Alberto Martinezand it will be a first contact to lay the foundation and methodology for the future of Osakidetza. The work of the table will be coordinated by Javier MeanaProfessor of Pharmacology at the UPV/EHU.
As announced by the Basque Executive, Councillor Martínez will present to those summoned a first document, the content of which is unknown, but which will be open to improvements and debate in order to arrive at a new text agreed upon by the members of the table. After this first phase, the following phases would be followed in order to realise the aforementioned ‘nation pact’.
The topics that will be discussed in this first meeting are unknown, but all indications are that those present will put on the table issues such as measures for a good supply of healthcare professionals that make it possible to overcome scarcity, the need to provide incentives that primarily ensure attractive primary care or the investments that Osakidetza himself needs, an issue that is in great demand from trade unions and professional groups, among others.
At the citizen level there is an intervention in the delays in care and the mental healthwhich will also largely mark the beginning of these meetings.
The executive has already recalled that this Thursday’s meeting does not exhaust the pact, but rather begins a “path in which everyone must contribute” to reaching “the broadest possible agreement regarding our system”. It hopes that the meeting will take place “in a constructive spirit”.
However, Pradales stated a few days ago that they will not wait for the health pact to approve improvement measures in Osakidetza. So far, the Basque government has made good on the electoral promise to develop an investment plan until 2030, endowed with 1 billion euros, which according to Lehendakari Pradales will allow to restore pride in the Basque health care. This plan will focus on the modernization and expansion of infrastructure.
Source: EITB
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
