ER, psych center to keep operating amid Cabo Rojo hospital ownership transition

Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero insisted that Cabo Rojo Metropolitan Hospital will not close its operations, following reports circulating on social media suggesting the medical institution’s alleged closure.

By THE STAR STAFF

The administration of Cabo Rojo Metropolitan Hospital has announced that it will permanently close its operations on Nov. 30 as part of a sale process to another institution.

The new owner will continue to operate the only emergency room in the municipality, as well as the psychiatric center, Cabo Rojo Mayor Jorge Morales Wiscovitch said.

The clarification about the fate of the hospital came after the current owner, Metro Pavia Health System, sent termination letters to employees on Tuesday. The letters stated the date for the cessation of operations. Employees will receive their salaries until that date, and those who are not hired by the new entity before Dec. 1, will continue to be paid until Dec. 15. Additionally, it has been clarified that there will be no retention or transfer rights, commonly referred to as “bumping rights.”

In January of this year, Metro Pavia had announced its plan to cease operations of the emergency room at Cabo Rojo Metropolitan Hospital, which raised concerns in the community about the potential loss of medical services in the area.

Following negotiations between the municipality of Cabo Rojo, the Department of Health and a new company, MM Health, it was agreed that the emergency room would remain open under new management starting Feb. 1, with operating hours from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Health Secretary Víctor Ramos Otero also insisted on Thursday that the Cabo Rojo hospital will not close its operations, following reports circulating on social media suggesting the medical institution’s alleged closure.

Ramos Otero noted that the Pavía System officially notified the Department of Health of the sale transaction and that the agency maintains direct monitoring and constant communication with the parties involved to ensure that the transition is carried out in accordance with the law and without interruptions in services.

“In similar cases of change of operator or owner, the incoming entity recruits more than 95 percent of the employees who were working there, which represents a positive precedent and good news for the staff and the community,” the health secretary stated.

Ramos Otero emphasized that the Department of Health is actively monitoring the process to ensure that the transaction does not affect access to medical services or the working conditions of hospital staff.

“I reaffirm that our priority is and will continue to be protecting the stability of the island’s hospital system and ensuring the well-being of the communities that depend on these essential services,” the official stated.