Advanced Cancer Treatment Delayed Across Valencia Due to Regulatory and Infrastructure Issues
Valencia, Spain – Cutting-edge cancer treatment technology remains stalled in two major Valencian hospitals, frustratingโ patients andโฃ sparkingโ political clashes over obligation for the delays. The equipment, designed to deliver more precise and less invasive โradiationโ therapy, has been largely inactive for months despite being purchased under the previous regional government.
One patient, whose story highlightsโค the impact of the stalled rollout, experienced โsignificant scarring following a cancer operation โข40 years ago. She expressed her disappointment, stating that any reduction in treatment-related side effects woudl beโข “a very good news.” Her case underscores the potential benefits of the new technology, which promises to minimize the “burns” and other complications associatedโ with older radiation techniques. The situation has ignited a debate between the current and former administrations, centering โon issues โคof infrastructure readiness and regulatoryโค approvals.
The โคstalled machines – located at the General Hospital of Castellรณn and the Hospital of Elche – represent a significantโฃ investment in advanced cancer care. Theโค General Hospitalโค has received initial safety clearance from the Council for Nuclear Safety โขbut awaits โคfinal testing. Elche hospital โคsecured the necessary safety approval “this month,” with plans to launch the service by year-end.
The delay has drawn sharp criticism from the PSPV, the Valencian socialist party. Rafa simรณ, the party’sโค health spokesperson, submitted parliamentary questions and accused the PP of prioritizing private healthcare at the expense of the public system, claiming the public system is being “thinned outโข to push the private sector.” Regional health officials, though, blameโข the previousโฃ Botร nic government for โฃpurchasing the equipment “without having adapted operating rooms to house them and withoutโข having โthe corresponding authorizations from the Council of โNuclear safety.”
The Valencian regional governance anticipates the technology โwill be operationalโ within the coming months, offering a potentialโค advancement inโฃ treatment outcomes and reduced side effects โขfor cancer patients across the region.
