As part of its commitment to inclusive rehabilitation services, the Government of El Salvador, under the leadership of President Nayib Bukele, has inaugurated a new hydrotherapy area at the Western Integrated Rehabilitation Center (Centro de Rehabilitación Integral de Occidente) in Santa Ana. This development is a key initiative aligned with the «Crecer Juntos» (Growing Together) policy, spearheaded by the Office of the First Lady, Gabriela de Bukele.
The facility, managed by the Salvadoran Institute for Comprehensive Rehabilitation (ISRI), is designed to provide specialized care for children and youth requiring rehabilitation, with the necessary tools and expertise available to support their recovery. The new hydrotherapy area spans 500 square meters and is equipped with accessible infrastructure to serve patients of all ages.
«This pool offers hydrotherapy treatment, allowing us to address a wide range of issues, such as muscle contractures, vascular system problems, and edema,» explained Francisco Alabí, Minister of Health, during the inauguration. Hydrotherapy leverages the healing properties of water to aid the rehabilitation of neurological patients experiencing mobility challenges, from children to adults.
The ceremony was attended by Ligia Gallardo, President of ISRI; Elisa Gamero, Health and Nutrition Project Coordinator from the Office of the First Lady; and Health Minister Francisco Alabí. Gamero emphasized that the new facility reflects the First Lady’s commitment to ensuring no child is left behind, noting that high-quality services are now available beyond the capital city.
In addition to a state-of-the-art hydrotherapy pool, the facility features a Hubbard tank, which uses water to assist with exercises involving all four limbs. With this new center, the Bukele administration aims to serve over 3,500 users annually, 65% of whom are children.
This project represents another step forward in the government’s efforts to provide comprehensive and inclusive healthcare services for all Salvadorans.