Uterine Cancer Patient Awaits Urgent Surgery for Over 120 Days at Hospital Costa del Sol
A 46-year-old uterine cancer patient, known only as Daniela A, has criticized the Hospital Costa del Sol for making her wait more than 120 days for urgent surgery. Daniela has been waiting for this potentially life-saving operation since October of the previous year. Despite being classified as a ‘priority’, she alleges that the hospital has not yet contacted her to schedule her surgery. Daniela has taken her complaint to the Malaga Prosecutor’s Office.
Patient Describes Pain and Anguish While Waiting for Surgery
In an interview with La Opinion de Malaga, Daniela described her ordeal as a “terrible anguish”. She is experiencing severe pain, which at times leaves her unable to get up due to fatigue and discomfort. Daniela also revealed that she is suffering from incontinence. The stress of the situation has reportedly led her to visit the emergency room on at least two occasions.
Mother of Two Fears for Her Life Amidst Delayed Treatment
Daniela, a mother to two teenagers aged 14 and 17, expressed her fear of losing her life to cancer, a fate her own father suffered. She questioned the delay in her treatment, stating that her condition is worsening each day and requires immediate intervention. Daniela underwent her first operation in September of the previous year, but it was insufficient to remove the cancer. A request for a second operation was filed on October 25, but a date has not yet been confirmed.
Doctor’s Union Denounces ‘Profound Crisis’ at Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol
The delay in Daniela’s treatment comes amidst a doctor’s union’s denouncement of a ‘profound crisis’ at the Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol. The union attributes the crisis to underfunding and extensive waiting lists. The Malaga Medical Union (SMM) reported that at the end of 2023, there were ‘75,368 patients waiting for surgery, a diagnostic test or a consultation’. This figure represents 22% of the local population who rely on the healthcare system.
Underfunding and Overload of Emergency Rooms Blamed for Crisis
Jose Luis Prada, the union delegate in the hospital, blamed the crisis on underfunding of the regional health system. He pointed out that the official figures for the registered population were significantly misaligned with reality. Prada also highlighted the ‘enormous overload’ of emergency rooms, partly due to a spike in respiratory infections across Spain following the Christmas holidays. He attributed the crisis to the historical underfunding of the hospital, which has been exacerbated by poor management during the hospital’s change in management model.
