Canary Islands Advance Health Promotion with Municipal Engagement and National Cancer Care Initiatives
Local governments in the Canary Islands boost health promotion while Spain advances comprehensive cancer care, highlighting strong public healthcare and innovation.
- • 68 municipalities in Canary Islands are engaged in a health promotion strategy emphasizing local administration roles.
- • President Lola García highlights health promotion as a shared responsibility beyond healthcare systems.
- • Spain leads Europe with 14 pilot cancer centers certified by the European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers.
- • Health Minister Mónica García stresses the need for comprehensive, equitable cancer care and warns against privatization impacts.
- • New initiatives focus on palliative care, childhood cancer, and reducing approval times for innovative cancer drugs.
Key details
The Canary Islands are intensifying efforts to promote health through local government participation and national cancer strategies. Lola García, President of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura, underlined local administrations' vital role in health promotion at the VI Plenary of the Canary Islands and Municipalities Promoting Health. With 68 municipalities now engaged, including Fuerteventura and La Oliva, the strategy integrates diverse perspectives to enhance residents' quality of life, highlighting health as a shared responsibility beyond healthcare systems.
José Fernando Díaz-Flores, Director General of Public Health, affirmed the region's firm commitment to this approach, while César González de León emphasized governance focusing on children and adolescents. Discussions also covered previous actions and future priorities for the initiative.
On a national level, Health Minister Mónica García marked World Cancer Day, emphasizing the necessity of a strong public healthcare system in cancer care. She noted Spain's leadership in Europe with 14 pilot centers certified by the European Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centers and highlighted advances including new oncology communication guidelines and a forthcoming Palliative Care Strategy. The minister stressed comprehensive, equitable care, addressing social impacts, and childhood cancer priorities with initiatives such as individualized follow-up plans for survivors.
García warned against the risks of privatization affecting screening and prevention and thanked healthcare professionals and communities for their collective effort. These local and national health promotion initiatives reflect a coordinated commitment to improving health outcomes across the Canary Islands and Spain.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
