Only a few days ago, we placed the first stone of a project that comprises, not only a bid for the future of the Policlínica Miramar but also for Balearic health in general.

In some way, the start of the construction of a building that will imply an increase in 25 per cent of our hospital beds as well as a substantial improvement in other services, such as Radiology and Laboratory, marks the consolidation of a process initiated many years ago and that would not have been possible without the dedication of everyone involved.

Health means, above all, people.  We deal with human beings and, therefore, concepts such as profit or business margins have to be relegated discreetly to one side so as not to diminish the importance the main character of health, be it public or private, that is the user, the patient, the client, and of course, the relations.

Having reached this point, I would like to refer to the ever caustic controversy between public and private health schemes, so badly interpreted.  As always, those who know me can verify that I have been an ardent defender of health as a common good, that cannot be refused to anyone and that everyone, as being citizens of the world, should have the right to.

Only from this point of view is it possible to understand any health scheme, and also, naturally,  private health.  If this criteria is shared, then the dual relationship of public-private health can, and should, acquire nuances of perfect compatibility.

On the threshold of the XXI century, the philosophy of optimisation of resources should prevail over any other consideration, and in this respect private health is in condition to offer a worthy contribution to the public health, and to all citizens as long as we who work in it are aware of the criteria previously expressed and that can be summarised by the phrase:  above all, equal health for everyone.