The Andalusian Association of Primary Care Pediatrics (AndAPap) has reiterated its concern over the persistent shortage of pediatricians in Málaga's health centers, a problem affecting 30% of minors in the province. This proportion is significantly higher in inland municipalities, where coverage is even more deficient.
According to the association, this issue has been ongoing for over two decades without an effective solution. Even in the Emergency departments of regional hospitals, children are frequently attended by doctors without pediatric specialization. The situation in Málaga, while better than in Huelva (where 88% of minors do not have an assigned pediatrician), is worrying, especially when compared to Granada and Seville, where the deficit is 27%.
“"In most cases, parents don't know. It's like going to a gynecologist and the doctor attending you isn't a gynecologist."
The leadership of AndAPap points out that, while the capital and coastal strip of Málaga show a better situation, in regions such as Antequera, Ronda, and the interior of Axarquía, many pediatrician positions remain unfilled. In these areas, minors are assisted by family doctors or general practitioners, who lack the specific four-year training of a pediatrician, having only rotated through the specialty for three months during their residency.
The association warns that the lack of effective corrective measures has prevented an improvement in the situation, even projecting that by 2026 the outlook will not be better. They attribute this reality to “dreadful contracts” and poor working conditions that discourage pediatricians from choosing Primary Care, leading them to opt for hospitals or private medicine.
“"The SAS does not listen to us. Primary Care is not incentivized; just like with family doctors. There is total neglect in the SAS. They don't think about Primary Care pediatricians, they don't think about children."
The consequences of this situation, according to AndAPap, include delays in diagnosis, saturation of hospital emergency services, and an increased risk of clinical safety incidents due to discontinuous and unspecialized care. The organization demands that all children be attended by specialists, that pediatric nurses be guaranteed, and that the Andalusian Health Service (SAS) include indicators of delay and accessibility in this specialty.
