The Health Commission of the Cortes of Aragon welcomed the appearance of the general director of Public Health, Nuria Gayán, at the request of the Minister of Health. Gayán, speaking about Primary Care (PC), alluded to the fact that “We must combat the challenge of historical underfunding in health services by incorporating new health profiles.” The DG of Public Health has spoken before the camera to talk about the results of the diagnosis of the situation and reform of Public Health in the region. In addition, it has announced the creation of the Aragon Public Health Institute for 2026.
Regarding the survey carried out among more than 500 professionals in the sector, the result was the staff’s vision regarding professional distribution and the portfolio of services. “The results have reflected weaknesses in the system such as the lack of updating of the administration, or insufficient coordination with the Health Department.”Gayan explained.
As a result of this diagnosis of the situation, Gayán highlighted that “72 percent of the professionals surveyed have highlighted that there is a lack of visibility and ignorance of the work they do.”
Study results
The survey carried out with more than 500 professionals in the sector, which has made it possible to contrast and prioritize the vision of the staff regarding professional distribution and the portfolio of services, has reflected that other weaknesses of the system are the lack of updating of the Administration, according to 38 percent percent of those surveyed, or insufficient coordination with Health, as 32 percent answered.
On the other hand, the study has reflected that the main challenges highlighted by Public Health professionals are those related to antibiotic resistance, lifestyle habits, climate change, globalization and the risk of future pandemics.
Given these results, which also reflect positive aspects such as “the transversal nature of Public Health”, the general director has stated that “it is necessary to strengthen the services, as was detected a few years ago” and has reported that “it is based on a common diagnosis for the entire country with challenges such as strengthening surveillance or preparation to face new global risks.”
The appearing party has reported that “this roadmap has seventy-two measures at the state and regional level”, the greatest exponent of which is the creation of the State Public Health Agency. “We are working to have Zaragoza host its headquarters”, Gayán stressed.
Furthermore, Gayán has highlighted that “It is necessary to involve the entire health system in the development of these programs” and stated that we must “fight the challenge of historical under-providing in health services, since the human resource situation is unsustainable and new health profiles must be incorporated.”
Gayán has also spoken about the upcoming transformation of the current DG into a public body such as the Institute of Public Health of Aragon, a preliminary draft law that was submitted to prior consultation in the summer and is in the draft writing phase. The objective will be to have this Institute in 2026.
The voice of other groups
After the appearance, the parliamentary groups present wanted to give their point of view on this diagnosis of Aragonese Public Health. Thus, from the Popular Party, Susana Gaspar has valued the work carried out by professionals in the health sector of Aragon and has analyzed the fact that the reforms proposed by the DG of Public Health, “are based on the distance between health and care levels, undersized resources or the absence of an adequate information system at the national level.”, he highlighted.
From the Socialist Party, Iván Carpi has highlighted that despite not having been able to access the study as such, it is important that “there is a sufficient budget allocation to undertake all the changes with the greatest flexibility possible.”
For its part, Vox, through its representative, Santiago Morón, has described the Public Health service as “strategic and indispensable” and has celebrated the reform project with the creation of the Aragon Public Health Institute.
During her speech, CHA parliamentarian Isabel Lasobras recalled that “the pandemic helped us rethink health systems and combat health inequalities,” while also putting on the table that “Aragon has a very aged population.” and that has an impact on multiple aspects of healthcare, so the model must be updated.”
Finally, the deputy of Izquierda Unida, Álvaro Sanz, recalled that “there are sufficient funds and resources to make the work of Health known to citizens” and has assessed that “there is a problem of lack of capacity to structure and transversality all policies from a comprehensive approach.”
After the groups’ intervention, Gayán called on all parties. “We must achieve the maximum political consensus to have a better Public Health organization, with sufficient strength to have a future projection”, he concluded.
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