Spain: a "pandemic hospital" is born in the controversy in Madrid

Dozens of caregivers demonstrated at the inauguration of the Isabel-Zendal hospital on December 1, 2020. REUTERS - SERGIO PEREZ

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A huge “pandemic hospital” has just been inaugurated in Madrid at the initiative of the conservative regional government.

Gigantic, overpriced and built in record time, it was born out of controversy. 

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With our correspondent in Madrid, 

François Musseau

Over 1,000 beds, 40,000 m², three pavilions, a huge pedestrian avenue, 40 intensive care units: the “pandemic hospital” in the north of Madrid, brand new, is characterized by its size.

But also by the fact that it arouses controversy.

It is only operating at 27% of its planned capacity and it cost a whopping 100 million euros, double what was planned.

Marta Nuñez, journalist, follows the health crisis for the private channel Quatro.

 I find it scandalous to have spent so much money to build a new hospital,

” she says.

I believe that this money should have been spent on other things like prevention, screening and testing. 

"

The exorbitant cost is not the only criticism leveled at regional authorities for having erected this enormous "pandemic hospital".

Out of 669 posts for health personnel, only 116 are currently filled.

Above all, there is a dire shortage of doctors and surgeons.

See also: Covid-19: Spain decrees a state of health emergency and establishes a curfew

There again, Marta Nuñez believes that everything was badly programmed: “ 

This hospital is almost empty and during this time, the medical centers in the districts are saturated with patients, and the doctors lack everything to take care of these same people. patients.

 "

In the other major hospitals in Madrid, people are rising up against this mastodon.

The problem, it is explained, is not the lack of hospitals, but the lack of doctors, nurses and material resources. 

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