Researcher calls for major health service overhaul in Malaga province

A report published by the local doctors' association details severe deficits in healthcare infrastructure across Malaga province. Researcher Pedro Navarro presented the findings, urging the Andalusian health service (SAS) to implement a dedicated healthcare plan for Malaga with a budget exceeding 3.4 billion euros. The report highlights that Malaga's population has grown by over 10 per cent since 2015, outpacing the regional average. This growth is compounded by the province's significant reliance on tourism, which brings in an estimated 9.9 million tourists annually.

The current ratio of health centres to inhabitants in Malaga province is 3.85 per 100,000, below the Andalusian average of 4.98. Furthermore, the province operates 12 public hospitals, providing 1.56 public beds per 1,000 inhabitants, which is below the regional average of 1.97. These factors place increasing pressure on the regional health service.