The Comuns denounced the “serious inequality” in stroke care affecting the Lleida region this Wednesday in the Parliament. MP David Cid stressed the importance of time in treatment, noting that “every 30 minutes that pass before a mechanical thrombectomy reduces the possibility of the patient retaining their autonomy by 10%”.
“"Neither Lleida nor Tarragona have continuous coverage, which leads to the conclusion that the lives of people in Lleida are worth less."
Unlike Barcelona and Girona, the capital of Segrià does not have a stroke care service operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This situation, according to the Comuns, constitutes a “very clear territorial discrimination”. The Arnau de Vilanova Hospital covers about 450,000 people, including the Pyrenees, a population comparable to that of other territories with full service.
In response, the Minister of Health, Olga Pané, assured that territorial equity is important, but argued that "equity of results" is fundamental. Pané explained that dispersing resources compromises results, as professionals who do not handle many cases do not acquire the necessary experience to resolve complex cases.
The Minister referred to the Master Plan for the disease, which currently advises concentrating healthcare. Despite this, the Comuns demanded a concrete plan to ensure that by 2026 the regions of Lleida, Tarragona, and Central Catalonia have this complete service with specialized professionals.
