The doctors' strike in the Canary Islands has led to significant frustration for patients, as exemplified by Rosy Rodríguez, a resident of La Palma. Rodríguez recounted her experience after traveling to Tenerife for an important medical consultation, which was canceled upon her arrival at the hospital without prior notification.
Rodríguez's journey, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and has a recognized disability, began at five in the morning. What was already a difficult trip due to her health condition turned into a twelve-hour ordeal. Despite the challenges, she managed to reach the Hospital Universitario Canarias in Tenerife for her appointment, scheduled since May of the previous year.
Upon reaching the reception desk, she was informed that the doctor was on strike and that she would be contacted to reschedule. This consultation was vital for reviewing the results of an MRI and several lab tests. The patient now finds herself in limbo, without a diagnosis or a new appointment date, feeling "left hanging" with helplessness.
“"They made me go through a painful transfer"
Rosy Rodríguez stated her respect for the doctors' right to strike but directed her criticism towards the administration of the Servicio Canario de Salud for the lack of foresight and communication, especially concerning vulnerable patients who must travel between islands. She denounced that the expenses and inconvenconveniences caused by the trip were not taken into account.
The patient lamented the lack of empathy, describing the situation as the action of "irresponsible people towards us, who have a high degree of disability and dependency." She did, however, express gratitude for the excellent care received from the assistance staff for people with reduced mobility at the airport, the Sin Barreras service.
Currently, Rodríguez is in a state of complete uncertainty, unsure when she will be called for a new appointment. Her local doctor cannot access her test results, leaving her without answers about her health status. The frustration is amplified by the fact that she was previously contacted to change her appointment from May 26th to May 29th, but not to notify her of the final cancellation.
“"They treat us like balls, tossed from here to there"
The patient reflected on the need to improve medical services on the non-capital islands to avoid such long journeys, suggesting the implementation of monthly medical services with professionals from Tenerife visiting other islands. She expressed her feeling of being treated "like balls, tossed from here to there, as if we don't suffer all these problems."
