The National Institute of Health Management (INGESA) has stated that healthcare for the population of Ceuta has developed with "total normality" following the massive arrival of migrant people to the autonomous city nearly two weeks ago.
Since that moment, "scheduled appointments have been maintained and are being attended to, and emergencies are handled in a separate circuit from that which assists the migrant population," the agency has pointed out, emphasizing the response capacity deployed to absorb the increase in demand. To this end, more than 50 professionals have been added as reinforcement.
According to INGESA, the action taken "has been quick, organized, and at all times guided by respect for its professionals and the humanity that must be prioritized in the care of human beings who require healthcare." It has highlighted that the workers, both frontline healthcare personnel and management teams and other non-healthcare categories, "have once again demonstrated their worth and know-how in the performance of commendable work."
The Institute has emphasized that "all this has been possible thanks to the experience and the plans anticipated for cases of increased healthcare demand, but also because, at this moment, the Health Area of Ceuta has the greatest human and material resources in its history." The workforce has increased by 8 percent since 2020, despite the closure of the border with Morocco that year "reducing healthcare assistance by 34 percent in Ceuta (with a 17% decrease in emergency activity, a 55% decrease in obstetrics activity, and a 16% decrease in admissions)."
In this regard, it has detailed that the increase in staff at the hospital has been 12 percent and in the emergency service 22 percent. "Today Ceuta and Melilla have more resources than ever and a budget that has increased by 70 percent since 2018," it has emphasized, while reproaching "the spokespersons of the Popular Party (PP)" who have come to the city "to take political advantage of this crisis," that "have shown new signs of their ignorance about the reality of healthcare in Ceuta."
Special device since the end of July
In relation to the specific management of this situation, INGESA has detailed that, since July 30, a special device has remained active, for which the teams have been reinforced with its own personnel and with more than 50 contracted professionals, who will continue to provide service until August 31.
"This week, most of the care is being provided at points outside of health centers and only those cases that require specialized attention are being transferred to the hospital," he specified. At 9 a.m. on this Tuesday, the University Hospital of Ceuta recorded an occupancy of 61.45 percent, with 110 patients admitted, and had 65 free beds (38.55%). Of these places, only 26 were occupied by migrant persons.
In parallel, the Institute has indicated that it has reinforced the Red Cross device at Trampolín beach, in the afternoon hours and during the food distribution, where 300 assistances have been carried out. In addition, it has reported the completion of 20 orthopantomographies in this context.