The Minister of Health of the Government of the Canary Islands, Esther Monzón, appeared before the Disability Commission of the regional Parliament to detail the measures implemented by the Canary Health Service (SCS) for the care of people with disabilities in public health centers across the Archipelago. She highlighted the issuance of 39,970 health cards with AA (accessibility and accompaniment) codes.
These AA codes identify patients with vulnerability situations, particularly those with communication and social interaction difficulties, aiming to improve their healthcare. Monzón noted that this figure represents a 90.4% increase since February 2024, when 20,983 cards had been issued.
The AA code facilitates the implementation of measures to reduce the negative impact on patients' emotional and behavioral states. This includes minimizing waiting times, ensuring accompaniment, coordinating appointments, and performing diagnostic tests when feasible. In emergency services, efforts are made to avoid long waits and ensure patients are accompanied.
Beneficiaries of this tool include individuals with conditions such as dementia, intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, chronic mental disorder, hearing and visual impairment (deafblindness), cerebral palsy, or chronic mental disorder with severe psychosocial functioning deficits. The code is requested through a primary care physician and printed on the updated health card at the health center.
Furthermore, the Minister recalled other SCS initiatives to improve communication with people with disabilities, such as the distribution of 350 pictogram booklets and training for 130 professionals in Augmentative and Alternative Communication Systems (SAAC). Additionally, 49 magnetic induction loops have been installed in health centers for individuals with hearing impairments.
Other measures mentioned include the publication of the Charter of Rights and Duties in multiple languages and formats, and care programs such as neonatal screening, the Strategy for Neurodegenerative Diseases, and the Canary Islands Rare Diseases Strategy 2023-2026.
