During the final pre-election debate in the Andalusian parliament, regional president Juan Manuel Moreno delivered sharp criticism at opposition parties. He accused them of using healthcare as their sole tool to put pressure on the government and firmly rejected accusations of privatizing the system. According to Moreno, under his leadership, the region has made significant progress in improving medical services, and the healthcare budget has reached a record high.
The regional leader paid special attention to the issue of breast cancer diagnosis. He pledged that women suspected of having cancer will now be able to undergo all necessary examinations—mammography, ultrasound, and biopsy—in a single day. According to him, this measure will speed up diagnosis and spare patients from repeated hospital visits. However, details on how the initiative will be implemented, including staffing, remain undisclosed.
Crisis of trust and protests in the streets
In recent months, the Andalusian healthcare system has come under public scrutiny due to errors in its breast cancer screening program. More than two thousand women did not receive their test results on time, sparking outrage and mass protests. The Prosecutor’s Office of Andalucía and Seville has launched an investigation, while the opposition is demanding the president’s resignation. Moreno, in turn, insists that the crisis has served as an impetus to improve the system, and that new measures will help prevent similar situations in the future.
Patient associations such as Amama have long advocated for the implementation of a single diagnostic process. They believe this would help reduce wait times and ease stress for women awaiting their results. Authorities promise that the new organizational structure of departments, particularly at the Virgen del Rocío hospital, will address these demands. Nevertheless, experts point to a shortage of staff and increased workload for medical professionals, which could pose a new challenge for the system.
Political Disagreements and Funding
In his speech, Moreno also touched on the issue of funding for autonomous communities. He spoke out against the principle of ‘ordinality,’ which involves allocating funds to regions proportional to their contributions. According to the president, such a system would increase inequality among residents of different parts of the country. He recalled that the Andalusian parliament has already voiced its opposition to such changes and called on the central government to prevent discrimination against the region.
Unlike previous debates, which focused on accusations against Madrid over inadequate funding, this time Moreno emphasized his own achievements. He highlighted that the government of Andalusia is investing in infrastructure, energy, and social sectors despite challenging economic conditions.
Regional investment and support for agriculture
A key topic of the speech was investment in the province of Jaén, where the influence of socialists remains strong. Moreno pointed out that the launch of car production in Linares, following the closure of Santana Motors, has become a symbol of the region’s economic revival. The first cars are expected to roll out from the new facility in December, which, according to the president, will restore Jaén’s status as an industrial center and create new jobs.
Additionally, the authorities have promised to reduce grazing fees in the Andalusian mountains, allowing farmers to save substantial amounts each year. This measure is aimed at supporting agriculture and preserving the region’s traditional way of life.
Expectations and challenges ahead of the elections
Most of Moreno’s speech focused on defending his own policies and comparing them to the actions of the central government. He emphasized achievements in modernizing healthcare, developing industry, and supporting farmers. However, the opposition continues to demand an investigation into failures in the healthcare system and calls for greater transparency in the allocation of budget funds.
Elections are coming up in Andalusia, and the authorities’ ability to convincingly address the challenges of recent months will determine not only Moreno’s political future, but also public trust in the regional healthcare system.
