By province, Zaragoza recorded the largest improvement, with 8,166 patients on the waiting list, 135 fewer than the previous month. The situation was different in Teruel, where the figure rose by 67 patients to 729, and in Huesca, which added 20 and reached 406. Despite the impact of the strikes, 73.7% of the operations performed so far in 2026 took place within 180 days.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT BLAMES STRIKES AS MAIN OBSTACLE
According to the Health Department, nationwide strikes have slowed the favorable progress achieved by its Surgical Activity Revitalization Plan. During 2025, the initiative reduced long-term waiting lists by almost 27%, from 7,526 to 5,540 patients, a decrease of 1,986 people.
Evolution of the surgical waiting list exceeding 180 days. Photo: DGA
The best figure was recorded in July 2025, when the waiting list stood at 5,178 patients. However, from March 2026 onward, the cumulative impact of strike days reversed this trend. Delays exceeding 180 days therefore increased for six consecutive months, reaching 9,349 patients in August.
Alternating weeks of strikes have made it difficult to organize healthcare activity and generated accumulated delays. In response, the Health Department has prioritized the most serious operations and those in which a longer wait could particularly affect patients' quality of life. It has also launched an emergency plan to minimize the impact of construction on Aragon's first public hybrid operating room at Miguel Servet Hospital and improvements to the surgical block at Lozano Blesa University Clinical Hospital.
