Several acts of vandalism against non-urgent medical transport (TSNU) resources at bases on the island, with particular impact in Los Realejos, have left dozens of patients in Tenerife unable to attend non-vital treatments. The incidents, occurring over two consecutive days, rendered several ambulances inoperable.
The situation necessitated an urgent restructuring of routes to prioritize essential transfers, such as those for hemodialysis. Consequently, scheduled non-vital treatments were suspended, resulting in at least 59 lost treatments on Monday and further cancellations and delays on Tuesday.
The first incident was reported on Monday, June 15, at the TSNU base in northern Tenerife, located in Los Realejos. Access to the facility was blocked early in the morning, leaving 12 units inoperable and two more scheduled to start service. The incident led to resources being diverted to the north, causing 53 lost treatments in the northern and metropolitan areas.
Subsequently, it was found that four additional transport units remained inoperable due to a lack of personnel, affecting six more patients. In total, Monday concluded with 59 non-vital treatments lost. Additionally, two resources at the Santa Cruz base sustained damage from punctures, although these were resolved quickly.
Both patients and hemodialysis and rehabilitation centers had to adjust their operations due to the lack of transport, highlighting the direct impact of these acts on the continuity of scheduled healthcare.
