After the holding of general elections, a new opportunity presents itself to review the challenges that lie ahead for our National Health System and how to address them. From the General Council of Physicians and in collaboration with scientific societies and the IMAS Foundation, we recently carried out a complete diagnosis of the public health system and measures to improve it.
I want to start with the structural problemssuch as the separation between public health and healthcare, which has led to a predominantly curative rather than preventive approach. This paradigm must change and for this it is necessary to reorient the system towards health promotion and disease prevention through the implementation of structures that integrate public health and health care.
Another structural aspect is the health education of the population. Undoubtedly, working in this direction will be essential for proper use of health services. We must raise awareness throughout society about the health system and respect for health professionals, as well as promote the therapeutic alliance between doctors and patients, and the participation of patient associations and scientific-medical entities in the reorientation of public health.
Another challenge that has a direct impact on the structure and approach of the SNS is the increase in the population of elderly people and patients with chronic diseases complex, as well as unwanted loneliness. To solve this immense challenge, we must develop comprehensive care that incorporates the necessary social and professional resources to provide quality care, including multidisciplinary teams, frailty prevention, and palliative care.
In this sense, we cannot forget that greater integration between primary and specialized care, as well as the creation of care networks that guarantee continuity of care, represent a giant step in this regard. But we must also face in the coming years the expansion of the portfolio of services of the public health system, especially in mental health and oral health, to close the existing gaps compared to other developed countries.