Public and Private Health Care Symbiosis

The Symbiosis of Public and Private Health Care

Private health care plays a significant role in health systems around the world, particularly in insular regions. One could say that there is a kind of symbiosis or public-private partnership, and currently, the participation of private health facilities is very prominent.

Health Care Infrastructure in Gran Canaria

At present, in the health area of Gran Canaria alone, over 1,500 private institutions are arranged. The institutions comprising this group provide a myriad of health care services necessitated by a lack of staff in public institutions.

The Necessity of Referral Services

This referral service is due, in part, to a lack of health staff. Furthermore, the public sector is not always provided with sufficient physical infrastructure and technological resources. Consequently, public health systems are permitted to make private provision for infrastructure according to previous economic agreements, concessions, or other arrangements with private institutions for physical and technological resources.

Economic Challenges and the Aging Population

Unfortunately, public health cannot simply hire more staff. The population is aging, and as a result, costs are rising while economic revenue remains insufficient. There are currently very few active, tax-paying individuals compared to those who are not active. This ensures that income is not enough to meet the expenses that would result from an increase in staff. This is the main cause of the relationship between public and private health.

The Paradox of Private Sector Efficiency

One might ask: How can public health afford to pay the costs involved in the care of a patient in a private institution if it lacks its own physical resources and technological infrastructure? The reason is very simple: it is much cheaper to maintain an employee in the private sector than in the public sector, which is why this paradox occurs. Therefore, the patient does not have to fear the care provided in a private institution, as this will be of the same quality as a public one; this should not be viewed as detrimental to them.

Impact on Health Care Workers

While not detrimental to the patient, the system can be challenging for workers in private centers. Compared with workers in a public center, they may have a lower salary and may not have the same privileges as an employee of a public center. Private institutions must remain competitive in their assistance against public welfare benefits. It is clear that the reliance on private institutions is not due to a lack of quality or infrastructure; it is simply a consequence of the economic decline caused by a lack of funds currently affecting the health sector.