During a general policy debate in Parliament, the regional president announced that the Valencian Government is expanding its public health initiative to include broader coverage across the country, with a focus on advancing non-invasive prenatal testing as part of maternal health services. The blood-based screening, which currently reaches a minority of pregnancies with chromosomal risk, is planned to become more widely available under a new public funding arrangement. The program is projected to begin in the first half of 2023 and will be offered at no additional cost to eligible patients under the new system, according to the administration.
The policy also envisions improved access for chronic patients who rely on hospital pharmacological treatments. They will be able to pick up medicines at local pharmacies or health centers, easing the delivery of essential therapies and enhancing continuity of care. In parallel, the health system is expanding resources with the aim of establishing more diabetes-related care facilities and dedicated units for managing diabetic foot emergencies across the region.
Additionally, officials announced a nationwide rollout of a screening program for cervical cancer beginning in 2023, extending the reach of preventive screening to the entire target population. The administration stressed the long-term commitment to public health as a core objective, highlighting a substantial effort to reduce waiting times and improve service efficiency.
In a bid to alleviate surgical backlogs, the government reported a plan to increase surgical capacity and reduce waiting lists. A decree from the mid-1990s was revised so that patients needing surgery for common conditions who have waited beyond a 60-day threshold could opt to proceed with surgery without further delay, aligning care with patient need and clinical urgency.
These are Ximo Puig’s announcements for Alicante.
This exceptional policy measure is set to take effect in December and will remain in effect until waiting lists normalize. A new unit delay-control system will be established to shorten waiting times for surgery, outpatient consultations, and diagnostic tests, ensuring more predictable pathways for patients.
Moreover, the afternoon schedule for diagnostic testing will be strengthened, and the 2023 budget for surgical interventions will be increased from 16 million to 25 million euros. The plan also expands collaboration with the private sector and reallocates funds, lifting the investment in the health system from 15 million to 22 million through the Shock Plan to boost overall capacity.
In mental health, the Valencia Action Plan for 2023 focuses on fortifying the workforce, expanding day centers, deploying mobile response units, and promoting targeted employment schemes that support access to care across the community. In cancer care, the Community of Valencia announced a major initiative that positions Valencia as a center for cancer imaging and treatment, including the establishment of a European reference hub known as the Cancer Imaging Atlas Central Node, funded with a substantial national investment to advance imaging-guided therapies.
Finally, officials confirmed a tax relief measure designed to support fertility treatments. The policy aims to reduce barriers for Valencian women who face age-related or probability-related obstacles to conception, ensuring greater access to public health fertility services.
Overall, the announcements underscore a broad strategy to strengthen public health infrastructure, expand screening and preventive services, shorten waiting times, and promote more integrated care across hospital networks, primary care, mental health, and cancer treatment services. The government positions these steps as essential investments in the long-term health and well-being of residents in the Valencian Community and broader Spain, supported by ongoing reviews and adjustments as needs evolve (Valencian Government communications, 2023; Health Ministry briefings, 2023).