The Minister of Health, Mónica García, has stated that the creation of the State Public Health Agency (Aesap), currently in process in Congress, is a «debt» to Spanish society since the Public Health Law of 2011 and, especially, after the Covid pandemic.
She made these comments after a meeting with the Health Councillor of the Generalitat, Olga Pané, where they discussed shared concerns about improving the healthcare system.
Regarding the location of the Aesap headquarters, García noted that there are several candidate cities and the decision lies with the Ministry of Territorial Policy, highlighting that Catalonia is a «reference» in public health.
Pané expressed her desire for Barcelona to host the headquarters, but she mentioned that a hypothetical candidacy would need to wait for the approval of Aesap’s creation, with the city itself proposing the issue.
She also mentioned her wish to «harmonize» Aesap with the Public Health Agency of Catalonia (Aspcat), expected to launch in the fall, pending the approval of its statutes and organizational structure.
When asked about the new Framework Statute, García pointed out that it has not been reformed since 2003, making it very «complex». She expressed respect for union demands but emphasized that the Statute will eliminate precarity and instability, introducing improvements in research and parity.
In the meeting, common issues such as the management of the Transborder Hospital of Puigcerdà (Girona) were discussed, where they face challenges related to tax duties.
SMOKE-FREE AREAS
Regarding new anti-tobacco measures, García expressed ambition in defining smoke-free spaces based on scientific evidence and safeguarding citizens’ health. The decision on these spaces will be made by Congress, with García noting that bar terraces meet the requirements and some autonomous communities already regulate tobacco use in places like beaches or university campuses.
VISITS
Pané and García visited Sant Joan de Déu and Clínic hospitals in Barcelona on Thursday to learn about the Únicas network, focused on rare pediatric diseases, and advancements in CAR-T advanced therapies. The Minister highlighted the «essential» work of both hospitals and recalled the €22 million investment made by the Ministry of Health for the Únicas project nationwide.
FUENTE