Ceuta doctors call for a health emergency plan: "We have organized ourselves to avoid the collapse of services"

Doctors in Ceuta have called for an emergency health plan after working around the clock to manage the influx of migrants arriving at the Spanish enclave. The medical staff, including specialists from the University Hospital of Ceuta, claim they have organized themselves to prevent the collapse of healthcare services. They argue that a coordinated response involving both the Ministry of Defense and Health is urgently needed. The situation escalated with a surge in migrant arrivals over the past few days, leading to a dramatic increase in patient numbers at the hospital’s emergency department. On Thursday, the number of patients reached over 1,149, followed by 463 on Saturday. According to data from the National Health Management Institute (Ingesa), there were 305 attended cases among Moroccan migrants on Monday. Despite this decline, the workload remains high, with many children requiring urgent care due to conditions such as type 1 diabetes. Siham Yakhloufi, an emergency specialist at the hospital, described how her team has managed the crisis. She explained that several triage points were set up to separate patients from Ceuta and those from Morocco. One point was dedicated solely to residents, while two others focused on treating the newly arrived migrants. These measures helped maintain some level of normalcy for the local population, who have largely avoided seeking non-emergency care out of fear. Yakhloufi admitted that the hospital manager supported these efforts, though she expressed frustration that more assistance had not come from the city authorities. She noted that resources from defense agencies were provided, but she felt the government should have been more proactive. “We’ve worked hard to keep the services running,” she said, emphasizing that collaboration across different sectors, hospitals, primary care, ambulances, was essential. Enrique Roviralta, president of the Medical College of Ceuta and leader of the Ceuta Medical Union, echoed similar concerns. He argued that a combined protocol between the ministries of Defense and Health would have prevented the current strain on resources. “We’ve done everything we could to ensure the services remain functional,” he stated, highlighting the collective effort made by medical professionals. The challenge extends beyond immediate treatment. Many of the young migrants require long-term care, particularly those suffering from chronic conditions like diabetes. Yakhloufi pointed out that nearly 43,300 children and adolescents in Morocco suffer from type 1 diabetes, a condition that demands constant monitoring and specialized care. Some of these individuals arrived in critical condition, necessitating intensive care and resuscitation. The local police are responsible for identifying minors among the migrant group and facilitating their transfer to designated reception centers. These include the La Esperanza center, the Tarajal Nueva Esperanza facility, and temporary spaces in Piniers. As of recent reports, approximately 900 children have been registered in these facilities, far exceeding the available capacity. The authorities face mounting pressure to expand infrastructure and improve coordination. Local associations such as Samu and Engloba are providing temporary support, but the need for additional resources is clear. The police are also tasked with verifying the ages of suspected minors, a process that requires further manpower. With many children still lingering near the border area of Tarajal, the situation remains fluid, and the demand for sustained intervention continues.