The Andalusian authorities have decided to change the management of Seville’s healthcare system following a major scandal over delays in mammography screening. Manuel Molina, who had headed Virgen del Rocío Hospital since 2019 and later became the regional health delegate, has been dismissed from his position. He will be succeeded by Silvia Poso, previously a municipal official known for her work with an association supporting women who have had breast cancer.
The leadership change comes in response to numerous patient complaints and protests by medical staff. In recent years, the hospital has faced ongoing issues: staff shortages, budget cuts, overloaded departments, and a lack of communication between the administration and employees. The situation was particularly acute in the mammography unit, where, according to officials, almost all screening failures occurred.
Molina, who arrived at the hospital in 2019, faced a wave of discontent from both unions and patients. Doctors reported that staff reductions and the lack of replacements during vacations and sick leaves left personnel overwhelmed. Further tension arose from attempts to outsource some services and ongoing problems with the Militar hospital, which has not been fully operational since it opened in 2021.
A new leader and hopes for change
Silvia Pozo, who until recently worked at the Seville City Council, is known for her active stance on supporting women diagnosed with cancer. Her appointment is seen as a step toward improving communication between patient organizations and the healthcare system. In particular, she has maintained close ties with the Amama association, which was the first to raise the issue of screening delays and to request a meeting with regional officials.
Patient organizations have received the news of the appointment with cautious optimism. On one hand, they note Pozo’s experience and dedication; on the other, there is lingering wariness after recent attempts by the authorities to downplay the scale of the problem. In the coming months, she will need to build relationships with the medical community, restore patients’ trust, and ensure transparency in resolving ongoing issues.
Challenges for the new team
This leadership change is already the fourth since the crisis began. Previously, the head of the regional Health Ministry, the chief of the radiology department, and the coordinator of the mammology unit all stepped down. Authorities promise that these staffing changes will not only address the aftermath of the scandal but also help prevent similar situations in the future.
Meanwhile, the departure of Poso from the municipality forced the mayor of Sevilla to make yet another reshuffle within her team. She admits that the decision was difficult for her, but believes that her experience and knowledge are particularly valuable now for the regional healthcare system.
