Briefing
The Regional Government of Galicia (Xunta de Galicia) announced measures in Santiago on 19 September 2026 to improve care for children, while also announcing that immunisation against Virus respiratorio sincitial (VRS) would begin on Monday, 21 September 2026. The Conselleiro de Sanidade, Antonio Gómez Caamaño, presented both infrastructure and programme measures which, according to the Xunta, are intended to ease children’s hospital stays and provide better support for families.
Specifically, the government cited the modernisation of the paediatric intensive care unit at Hospital Lucus Augusti in Lugo, as well as changes to paediatrics at the health centre in A Estrada. In both cases, work had been carried out in cooperation with the Fundación Andrea to create child-friendly waiting areas, with calming colours and lighting, and a more family-friendly overall environment. The Xunta says it is investing one million euros in converting the terrace at Hospital Clínico de Santiago into a more comfortable waiting area for oncology patients.
As preventive measures, the Xunta referred to the regional newborn screening plan and the regional vaccination schedule. The announcement also said that the flu vaccination campaign for young children is due to begin on 13 October 2026, with vaccinations available at health centres and 75 schools. The press release did not give specific target rates or detailed schedules for each Área sanitaria.
The Plan Estratéxico de Saúde Mental 2026-2030 was also highlighted. According to the government, it is intended to strengthen early detection of mental health difficulties and expand specialist care for children and young people up to the age of 18. The Xunta said that further decisions would provide details on additional staff, binding milestones and budgetary matters.
The measures and dates described are based on announcements by the Xunta de Galicia and Servizo Galego de Saúde. Independent evaluations of the impact of the “humanisation” projects (for example, on length of stay, pain reduction or readmissions) are not yet available; their effects will need to be demonstrated by later data.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).