El Salvador’s Legislative Assembly approved the Law for the Creation of the National Hospital Network with 57 votes in favor, establishing a new institutional framework to strengthen healthcare delivery across the country. Deputies from Vamos and ARENA opposed the initiative.

The new law, proposed by the Executive Branch and endorsed the previous day by the Health, Agriculture, and Environment Committee, creates a decentralized public entity with administrative autonomy and its own legal status. The hospital network will operate independently from the Ministry of Health but will coordinate with it to guarantee comprehensive medical services, including prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care.

According to the approved legislation, the National Hospital Network will manage financial resources, request funds from the Ministry of Finance, and oversee procurement, contracting, and payments. It will also be responsible for building, remodeling, and equipping hospitals and health centers across El Salvador.

In addition, the institution will ensure the supply of medicines and medical equipment, recruit specialized personnel, supervise hospital operations, promote training and specialization among healthcare staff, and encourage the creation of teaching hospitals.

Government officials highlighted that this legal framework will allow for a more efficient and immediate response to the health needs of the population, reinforcing the country’s public healthcare system.