Health sector 'essential' for Catalonia's economy

Lleida (ACN).- The health sector is as important for the Catalan economy as the construction sector according to figures published in a report presented by the Catalan Minister for Health, Marina Geli. The study indicates a strong impact of the health industry in the economy, confirming that the sector has a Gross Value Added of between 5% and 9%. 

Public and private health institutions spend up to 400 million euros every year in Catalonia. This is, according to Geli, a very significant amount of money. The minister explained that in the public health system, 60% of the budget goes to paying employees and the rest is used for new acquisitions and investment.

Health companies are important clients of pharmaceuticals and use a lot of products from other sectors such as the food or clothing industries. They are also very dependent on IT companies. This creates synergies among enterprises and institutions from all around the country and helps to reinvigorate the economy, according to the study.

Minister Marina Geli said that it is necessary to increase the collaboration between public and private health centres. The minister argued that during economically difficult times, it is worthy to explore new ways of collaboration between institutions.

The Catalan minister visited the Lleida Hospital. In recent years, the Lleida health centre has invested up to 2 million euros in improving its installations. The hospital has recently inaugurated a day-care and a new breast cancer treatment zone.