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CLIMATE CRISIS

EXPLAINED: What is Spain’s newly activated health plan for extreme heatwaves?

Spain’s Ministry of Health has activated a plan to help combat heat-related illnesses in the case of extreme temperatures that the country could be facing this summer.

EXPLAINED: What is Spain's newly activated health plan for extreme heatwaves?
Spanish Ministry of Health to activate plan to combat affects of extreme heatwaves. Photo: JORGE GUERRERO / AFP

The National Preventive Action Plan for the Effects of Excess Temperatures on Health has been activated from Monday, May 15th and will stay in force until September 30th. 

Its main objective is to prevent and mitigate the negative effects that excessive heat can have on the health of Spanish citizens. It will particularly focus on the most vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, pregnant women, minors and people with chronic diseases, as well as those who work outdoors.  

READ ALSO: Mainland Spain breaks record temperature for April

It is the second consecutive year that a plan has been brought forward since it was launched in 2004. The plan was usually activated from June 1st, but because of the abnormally hot April, from now on, and in general, it will last from May 15th to September 30th, although with the possibility of delaying it by 15 days to October 15th, as the Spanish summer is starting earlier and each year and lasting longer too.  

Mainland Spain recorded its hottest-ever temperature for April recently, hitting 38.8C in Córdoba. 

One of the main priorities of the plan, according to the ministry, is to alert the health authorities and the public in advance of possible risk situations.

To do this, the Ministry of Health will provide each region with the maximum temperature predictions prepared by the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET) on a daily basis, as well as levels of health risk due to the heat.

READ ALSO: Spain to spend €2 billion to tackle drought

The plan will take into account the following meteorological variables: the maximum temperatures forecast for three days, the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded the day before the forecast date, and the maximum threshold temperatures based on epidemiological studies.

In addition, high temperatures that persist over a long period of time will also be considered a risk factor. 

The above factors will all decide on the risk level of each region which will be allocated level 0 (green), low-risk level 1 (yellow), medium-risk level 2 (orange) and high-risk level 3 (red).

To minimise the damage, the Ministry of Health has put together a list of recommendations for citizens. These include:

  • Drinking fluids frequently, even if you don’t feel thirsty and regardless of the physical activity you do.
  • Avoiding caffeinated, alcoholic or highly sugary drinks, as they can promote dehydration.
  • Anyone who is at risk of suffering from a heat-related problem should be paid special attention. This includes babies, children, pregnant or lactating women, as well as the elderly or those with illnesses that can be aggravated by heat (such as heart, kidney, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer, pathologies that hinder mobility, dementia and other mental illnesses, as well as drug or alcohol abuse).
  • Staying as long as possible in cool, shaded places.

Various regions in Spain have also been putting their own measures in place, coinciding with the abnormally hot April. Catalonia started to put some measures in place on April 27th, while Andalusia, did the same during Seville’s annual Feria de Abril.

READ ALSO: The water restrictions you can expect in Spain this summer

Madrid has also been contemplating changing the opening hours of educational centers and specific monitoring of air conditioning controls in social and healthcare facilities. The city opened the first of its first outdoor swimming pools on Friday, May 12th. Extremadura has also implemented its own plan on May 15th.  

In addition to this plan, the Ministry of Social Rights is working on the implementation of a “climate shield” with measures for residences and other centres that protect the most vulnerable people from extreme heat situations, such as the elderly and those with certain illnesses.

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HEALTH

How to add a beneficiary to your social security and healthcare in Spain

If you pay into the social security system in Spain, which you will do automatically if you work or are self-employed, then you have the right to access several benefits and so do some of your family members.

How to add a beneficiary to your social security and healthcare in Spain

Did you know that you can add beneficiaries to your social security benefits, even if they don’t work, meaning they can access healthcare too? This includes anyone who is dependent on you such as a husband, wife or your children.

Here are all the people you can legally add to your social security:

  • Your legal spouse
  • Your civil union partner (pareja de hecho)
  • Your ex-spouse or judicially separated in cases in which there is the right to receive a compensatory pension from the insured partner
  • Your children or children of a legal partner under 26 years old
  • Children older than 26 if they have a disability of over 65 percent
  • Your grandchildren under 26 years old, if they are not beneficiaries of their parents
  • Your siblings if they are under 26 years old, dependent on you and are not already beneficiaries of someone else
  • Your foster child under 18 years old

READ ALSO – GUIDE: How to register with Spain’s social security system

How do I add a beneficiary?

You can add someone to your social security with or without a digital certificate or in person, depending on what is easier for you. If you have one, it will be easier to use that and identify yourself online.

With a digital certificate or similar

The first step is to access the social security platform on the Social Security website, then log-in to your Social Security (TUSS) portal. You can identify yourself using the digital certificate, Cl@ve PIN, via a text message or a Spanish DNI number.

You need to digitally identify yourself on the Social Security website. Source: Seguridad Social

Navigate to the health care section – Asistencia Sanitaria and click on ‘Añadir un nuevo beneficiario’ or ‘Add new beneficiary’ and fill in the corresponding boxes with their information such as name, date of birth, NIE/DNI number, your relationship to them, and country of birth. Then click on ‘Continuar‘ (Continue) at the bottom of the screen and simply submit your application. 

Fill out the necessary details of the beneficiary. Source: Seguridad Social
 

Online without a digital certificate or similar

Firstly you’ll need to go to the following social security website. All you will need is to have access to an e-mail address and to be able to take a digital photo of yourself holding your ID card, this should be your TIE card if you’re from a non-EU country or your green card and passport if you’re from an EU country.

Firstly, you will need to click ‘solicante‘ if you are filling it out yourself. Next, complete your details such as name, type of document and date of birth. You will also need your support number.

Fill out your details so you can be identified without your digital certificate. Source: Seguridad Social

You will then need to upload the photo of you holding your ID, plus images of your ID card, front and back.

On the next page, you will be asked to fill out more personal information, as well as all the information of the beneficiary you want to add.

Finally, you will need to add supporting documentation such as your marriage certificate, birth certificate of your child etc, whatever officially proves your relationship with them. For children under three months old, this documentation is not necessary, since the Civil Registry automatically sends this data to social security.

Finally, click the button to give your consent. ‘Doy mi Consentimiento’ and then review all the details before submitting your application. You will then receive a code via e-mail, which you must introduce, along with your digital signature, to finalise the process.

In-person

You can also apply in person at a Social Security Assistance and Information Centre (CAISS), by appointment, or by ordinary mail to the Provincial Directorate of the INSS. You will need all the same documentation as above.

It’s a good idea to make digital photocopies of these documents, as well as bring the originals.

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