Malaga: Number of complaints about medical errors on the rise

In 2024, 689 complaints were filed with the patient ombudsman in the province of Malaga for alleged medical errors, almost 50 more than the previous year. This puts Malaga in second place in Andalusia, after Seville. Most complaints were about long waiting times, a problem in which Andalusia is at the top of the national list. On average, patients in the region wait 169 days for an operation. According to ombudsman Damián Vázquez, waiting times have “exploded” and there is no quick solution. Overcrowded emergency rooms and overburdened healthcare providers also contribute to the complaints, especially in traumatology, gynecology and obstetrics. In total, there were 131 deaths in Andalusia related to alleged medical negligence. The hospitals in Malaga with the most complaints are the Hospital Regional Universitario and the Clínico Universitario.