The President of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, highlighted the importance of this new diagnostic equipment for improving the quality of life for the residents of El Hierro, who will no longer need to travel to Tenerife for this test. In 2025, 760 patients were referred to the capital island, and in the first five months of 2026, the figure stood at 299.
Clavijo stated that this initiative responds to a "historic demand" from the population of El Hierro, strengthening the diagnostic capacity of the island's Health Area professionals. The Minister of Health, Esther Monzón, and other authorities also participated in the presentation.
The total investment in this healthcare improvement amounts to 1.2 million euros for the MRI equipment, in addition to 1.1 million euros allocated to the construction of the new building adjacent to the hospital. This new service will directly address 95% of cases requiring MRI scans on the island.
The Minister of Health, Esther Monzón, explained that the new equipment is located in a 400-square-meter space within the annex building, which will also house a new area for polyvalent consultations and an Orthopantomography machine.
Healthcare professionals have already performed forty studies with the new MRI scanner, following relevant training in March of this year. President Clavijo thanked the efforts of the Ministry's team and the healthcare professionals for launching this service, emphasizing their commitment and their work in also responding to migratory pressure.
The mayor of Valverde, Carlos Brito, highlighted how this new building brings cutting-edge technology closer to patients and reduces treatment waiting times.
Both the President and the Minister stressed that this initiative aligns with the Government's objective of bringing healthcare services closer to citizens, promoting equity among the islands. Furthermore, the recent update of daily allowances for patients and their families who need to travel was mentioned, with a 41% increase.
