in Montluçon, the closure of the health center leaves patients helpless

“What are we going to become?”

In the waiting room, the patients who heard the news were totally helpless. “Do I have to find another doctor then?” One patient wondered. “Good luck,” replied another. I called 17 doctors, everyone told me that it was full. However, we can go as far as Vallon-en-Sully, but only if it is An emergency In town, liberal doctors confirm it: the telephone does not stop ringing.

Vallons-en-Sully is located about thirty kilometers away: the end of the world for the elderly and the sick. Another consequence of the center’s closure is the end of home visits. Ghislaine is very worried. Her mother is 91 years old and suffers from Parkinson’s disease. “In a while, she will have no more prescriptions, no more drugs. What will become of us?”, She wonders with emotion. “I am completely distraught.”

A closure without solutions

The association which manages the center wanted to recruit three foreign doctors: two Lebanese and a Madagascan, but it was impossible to have their diplomas recognized before the end of the year. Local elected officials have written to the Ministry of Health to force general practitioners to settle in medical deserts. But they did not receive any answers. Especially since the doctors’ unions are totally opposed to this measure.

For the 7,000 patients who frequented the center, the last resort is now emergencies in the hospital. But everyone here says it does not replace a local doctor, who knows you and reassures you. The region now has half as many general practitioners as in 2014.

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