Ribera Salud CEO Defends Himself Amid Controversy Over Patient Profitability Audio, Resigns and Calls for Audit
Ribera Salud's CEO Pablo Gallart has defended himself against controversial audio leaks alleging patient rejection based on profitability, resigned, and called for an audit amid political and ethical fallout.
- • Pablo Gallart claims the controversial audio recordings are edited and taken out of context.
- • Gallart resigned from his position at Hospital de Torrejón amid the controversy.
- • Hospital staff reported pressures to prioritize profitable patients and reuse single-use materials.
- • Ribera Salud announced an internal audit; political leaders have weighed in, including President Isabel Díaz Ayuso.
- • Madrid health inspections found no irregularities or increased wait times despite the audio allegations.
Key details
Pablo Gallart, CEO of Ribera Salud, has become the center of a significant controversy following the release of audio recordings allegedly capturing him instructing hospital executives at the publicly managed Hospital Universitario de Torrejón de Ardoz to reject patients deemed unprofitable. These recordings raised ethical and operational questions about hospital management practices and patient care prioritization.
Gallart vehemently defends the recordings as "edited, recortado" (edited, cut) and "fuera de contexto" (out of context), emphasizing that the released excerpts do not reflect the full discussion. He revealed that a complete recording, lasting 1 hour and 21 minutes, exists and intends to release it, authenticated by a notarial record, to clarify his position and dispel the accusations. Moreover, he stated his commitment to sustaining the hospital, saying, "We are willing to stay in the project, even if the future profitability is zero," highlighting the institution's need to survive beyond financial considerations.
The controversy escalated to a point where Gallart resigned from his managerial role last Thursday amid mounting pressure. Hospital employees reported receiving orders related to prioritizing profitable patients and even reusing single-use medical materials – allegations that have compounded the ethical concerns. However, the Madrid health authority, under President Isabel Díaz Ayuso, asserted that these claims stem from internal disputes. Authorities conducted inspections and reportedly found no irregularities or increased patient wait times despite the audio portraying otherwise.
In response to the situation, Ribera Salud announced plans for a comprehensive internal audit to review their management practices and assure adherence to ethical standards. The scandal also influenced political discourse in the Assembly of Madrid, where discussions about the 2026 budget were impacted. President Díaz Ayuso accused the central government of exploiting the issue for political distraction.
The case, marked by conflicting narratives and political implications, remains under investigation, with Gallart seeking vindication through full audio disclosure and the planned audit. The unfolding events highlight the complex challenges at the intersection of healthcare management, ethics, and politics in Spain's regional health services.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
