In April of this year, the PSOE parliamentary representative for Málaga, Mariano Ruiz Cuadra, visited Nerja and announced that the town would be getting a CHARE (specialist hospital and medical facility) rather than a regular Health Centre.
Although this type of facility had not been on the agenda prior to this visit, the surprise announcement was greeted approvingly by the Council.
Further investigation revealed that there is no provision whatsoever in the regional budget for this or any other type of health facility in Nerja. In addition, the PP at a regional level had always campaigned for a CHARE but this proposal had always been rejected by the ruling PSOE.
The PP have now accused Mariano Ruiz Cuadra of a ‘blatant lie’ over the announcement of the CHARE and a parliamentary motion has been tabled with the Ministry of Health for clarification on the matter.
Furthermore, officials from the Department of Health have apparently stated that the announcement by Mariano Ruiz Cuadra was ‘a mistake’ and that the only CHAREs scheduled in Málaga province are in Benalmádena (under construction), Guadalhorce (ready to start), Mijas (still in the planning stage) and Estepona (also still in the planning stage).