Spanish socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on Thursday condemned what he called the right-wing opposition’s ‘immoral’ handling of healthcare in the regions under their control, following public anger over a breast-cancer screening scandal.
His remarks came after it emerged last month that hundreds of women in Andalusia – Spain’s most populous region – never received the results of their breast-cancer tests. ALSO READ: Thousands protest in Andalusia over breast cancer screening scandal.
The regional administration, governed by the right-wing People’s Party (PP), has acknowledged that at least 2,300 women who underwent mammograms in public hospitals in recent years were affected. ALSO READ: Regional health minister in Andalusia resigns amid breast cancer screening scandal.
Sánchez accused regional authorities of diverting central government funds to favour wealthy elites through tax breaks and similar policies, while neglecting ordinary citizens – citing the breast-screening failures as an example.
‘This may be legal, but it is undoubtedly immoral and destructive for the middle and working classes,’ he said during a debate in parliament.
He also said (see X link below): ‘Since 2019, the Andalusian government has allocated nearly €4 billion to contracts with private clinics. And what is the result? The number of healthcare workers per inhabitant has plummeted and waiting lists have skyrocketed. This is regrettable, immoral, and illegal.’
Officials in Andalusia have yet to provide a full explanation for the breakdown but have pledged to increase staffing in mammography units – a step many campaigners and patients say falls short.
Several senior health administrators have resigned, and protests have spread across the southern region in response to the scandal.
Some affected patients have also announced their intention to pursue legal action against the Andalusian government.
Regional president Juan Manuel Moreno, who faces elections next year, has publicly apologised.
Spain’s devolved system of government gives its regions responsibility for managing public healthcare.
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Desde 2019, el Gobierno andaluz ha destinado casi 4.000 M€ a conciertos con clínicas privadas.
¿Y cuál es el resultado? El número de sanitarios por habitantes se ha desplomado y las listas de espera se han disparado.
Esto es lamentable, inmoral e ilegal. pic.twitter.com/GNHk6LAwBz
— Pedro Sánchez (@sanchezcastejon) November 12, 2025
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