The transit authority began a Public space recovery operation in the surroundings of the Roosevelt Hospitalspecifically about the 5th. avenuein the area of Pediatricsadjacent to Market the Guardianin the Zone 11 of the capital.
What makes this intervention unusual is that it was carried out based on a Technical Report issued by the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction (Conred)in which the risks of keeping the vehicular passage in a Critical area for emergencies.
The commune reported that the sector had been taken as an informal parking lotwhere they even performed illegal charges.
The greatest concern supports the authorities is the time when even an ambulance could take emergencies.
This occupation directly affected the entry and exit of ambulances and relief bodies, a situation that, according to the authorities, endangered patients’ lives.
“Way of Life” obstructed
“This is the lane that is known as the ‘path of life,” he explained Susana RocaAdvisor of the Administrative Directorate of the Ministry of Health. “An ambulance that should take between two or three minutes to reach the emergency, is taking up to ten minutes,” he added.
The operation was carried out partially, only from the entrance to the headquarters of the Ministry of Health and Social Assistance (MPSAS) to the entrance of the Ophthalmology hospital and the Roosevelt Pediatrics area.
Despite this intervention, some 30 meters in front of the gate of Mspas continue to be occupied by vehicles, it was observed in the area.
The intention is to progressively recover the invaded areas, while the security of all involved is guaranteed. Therefore, agents of the National Civil Police (PNC) and riotmotines They were present to prevent any altercation. “It will be taken in phases”indicated representatives of Emetra.
Unsounts of sellers
The measure was not well received by some vendors. “Cars come to park and to the hospital, but in other blocks there are parking lots in areas where there have been assaults and vehicle robberies. People have died as a result of insecurity, ”said a merchant.
Another seller, directly affected, regretted: “From four in the morning the movement began, and now my concern is that I no longer have space to place my post. That will affect my sales, my livelihood “.
Structural and Human Risks
The report of Conred He concluded that the Public space occupation hinders access to health services and delays emergency care. In addition, he warns that informal economythe lack of urban planning and the insufficient parking lots They propitiate an insecure environment.
“The current situation puts the lives of patients at risk and the efficiency of emergency services,” says the document. “Delays in access and ambulance output increase the risk of complications and hinder timely attention,” he adds.
According to Susana Rocathis recovery is part of a Strategic Plan Interinstitution. “There is a technical table that has evaluated the situation with the National Civil Police, the Ministry of the Interior and Conred. This is just the beginning, but it will continue working in phases, prioritizing the most critical areas”, He explained.
The official added that the Ministry of Health has provided its full support to the process. “It seeks to guarantee the population an expedited income to emergency services”He said.
Also read: MP has seven complaints about threats to Roosevelt hospital
Persistent problems in accesses
For almost a year, since June 2024, they have covered the difficulties facing doctors and firefighters to enter the Roosevelt hospital, caused by the proliferation of informal sales and parking not authorized in access.
Since then, it was stated that the situation has caused that Ambulances take up to 20 minutes to travel just 500 meters to the emergency.
Although the hospital has worked in logistics proposals and has requested support from the corresponding authorities, attempts to recover public space have been unsuccessful, since merchants return and expand their occupation, also affecting the safety and vehicular flow in a critical area for medical care.