Pedro Sánchez announces the extension of the National Health System's basic common portfolio of services in neonatal screening

Central University Hospital of Asturias, Oviedo

Pedro Sánchez is in Asturias, where he has visited the Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA) and its neonatal screening laboratory. There, he announced the extension of the National Health System's basic common portfolio of services in neonatal screening. "Strengthening the National Health System and public health and extending services and benefits is the way forward. This is the commitment of the government over which I preside", he stressed.

The chief executive detailed that the portfolio of diseases detectable in neonatal screening will be increased from 7 to 22, and that this Tuesday's Council of Ministers will examine the necessary steps for this increase to take effect somewhere between now and the first quarter of next year. "The aim is to improve the welfare of our population, make the system more sustainable and standardise this benefit throughout the country, so that the health of Spaniards does not depend on their postcode or their income," said Pedro Sánchez. This move modifies the inherited portfolio of only testing for seven diseases, which placed us at the bottom of Europe, and also the inequality and lack of equity in neonatal screening between autonomous communities.

Sánchez, who was accompanied by the President of the Principality of Asturias, Adrián Barbón, and the Government Delegate in the region, Delia Losa, defended public health. He recalled that the pandemic "demonstrated the effectiveness and equity of the entire public protection network that is our health system", stressing that "prevention is as important as cure", which is why he highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and neonatal screening.

Commitment to public health

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during his visit to the Central University Hospital of Asturias | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

"Our National Health System is the jewel in the crown of the welfare state, which is why we are multiplying our investment in it", said the chief executive. From 2018 to the present day, the Government of Spain has increased investment in health eightfold, from €327 million to €2.75 billion in the budget at the state level.

It has also launched the largest offer of Specialised Health Training places in our history for 2024, totalling more than 11,600, 38% more than six years ago. "We now have more than 3,000 places in Specialised Health Training, 2,000 more in the MIR and 1,000 more in nursing", said the President of the Government.

Regarding the commitment to innovation and modernisation, plans and programmes have been promoted such as, among others, the PERTE for Cutting-Edge Health (over €2 million) and the Plan for the Implementation of Proton Therapy (€263.5 million).

State Public Health Agency

The Government has also submitted to Parliament the draft law creating the State Public Health Agency. "I know that Asturias is excited about the forthcoming State Public Health Agency," said the president, referring to the Principality's candidacy to be its headquarters, to highlight the fact that "the spirit of the Government of Spain is to decentralise, so that the State can get closer to all the territories as a way of guaranteeing and strengthening territorial cohesion. This is the way to build a homeland, bringing the state closer to all territories, to all citizens, wherever they live: that is the commitment of this government". Also foreseen is the approval of a future Law on Public Management of the National Health System, which shields our public model from privatisation.

Asturias is at the forefront of investment in public health, with a record €2.32 billion for health this year, of which €628 million will go to strengthening primary care. This community is also at the head of the organ donor rate, well above the national average. "We believe in our model, a public and quality model that we are going to continue to strengthen", the President of the Government made clear. "We will do so hand in hand with our professionals" and "with the majority of society, who want quality public, universal and free healthcare", he assured.

Non official translation