Honoring the Doctors of the Pitiusas

The Idea Behind the Tribute

The tribute “To those doctors who are no longer among us and their families” began as a simple idea raised during a meeting of several members of the College of Physicians. Retired doctor Eladio Merino recalls that Dr. José María Tugués suggested honoring physicians who have served the Pitiusas, highlighting the dramatic progress of health care over the last fifty‑plus years and acknowledging the families that stood behind them.

Researching Fifty Doctors

For eight months Merino and Tugués searched records from the 1950s to the present, identifying fifty doctors who have passed away. Each name was verified, and a short biography was prepared for the event.

Stories of Pioneering Physicians

Dr. José Costa “Pepet”

Born at the end of the 19th century, Dr. Costa Pepet practiced until the middle of the 20th century. In his time a doctor relied mainly on a stethoscope, keen observation, and hands‑on examination—there were few laboratory tests or imaging tools available.

Long‑Serving Community Doctors

• Dr. Salvador Camacho – served Santa Eulària for many years.
• Dr. Rebollo – a steady presence in Sant Josep.
• Dr. Rodríguez Vidal – cared for the residents of Sant Antoni.
• Doctors from Formentera – provided essential care on the smaller island, often acting as pioneers in local health services.

Notable Figures from the 1950s

Merino and Tugués also highlight physicians such as Pepet and Dr. Pujolet, as well as charismatic personalities like Labarta, Vilás, and Marí Calbet. More recently, the community mourned the loss of 49‑year‑old Esperanza Méndez, director of the Can Misses Admission Service, who passed away just a couple of months before the tribute.

The Role of Families

Families have always been the backbone that allowed doctors to endure exhausting schedules, long shifts, and relentless on‑call duties. Merino explains that without a supportive home life, many physicians would not have been able to sustain their demanding workloads. Tugués adds that the spouses and children often kept the household running while the doctor was away, which is why improving working conditions remains a priority for today’s medical professionals.

Changes in Medical Practice Over Decades

• 1950s‑60s: Only about 40 physicians served Ibiza and Formentera; resources were limited to basic analysis and minimal radiology.
• 1969 onward: Merino began his career amid a system where guards lasted from midnight on January 1 to 11 p.m. on December 31, meaning doctors could be summoned from the cinema, the beach, or a party at any moment.
• Mid‑1970s: The construction of the Ambulatory introduced more structured shifts, with service running from 5 p.m. to morning.
• Present: The College now counts roughly 800 members, reflecting both population growth and advances in medical technology, yet challenges such as staffing shortages and housing costs persist.

Current Challenges for Doctors

Merino points out that achieving a stable workforce is a major issue. High living costs and limited housing drive many doctors to leave after short contracts, leaving gaps in critical services like oncology. He also notes ongoing disputes between health administrations and medical unions, warning that patients ultimately suffer when strikes disrupt care.

Tugués stresses that on‑call duties should be fairly compensated; currently, doctors often work extended hours without extra pay, a situation that fuels widespread discontent across Spain’s medical community.

Details of the Tribute Event

• Opening: Dr. Carlos Rodríguez Ribas, president of the Ibiza‑Formentera College headquarters, will introduce the ceremony.
• Presentations: Merino and Tugués will show a slide for each honoree—featuring a photograph, birth and death dates, place of medical studies, and a brief career summary. With fifty slides, each will receive about one to one‑and‑a‑half minutes of spotlight.
• Mid‑Event Intervention: After roughly twenty‑five slides, Dr. Carles Recasens Laguarda, president of the Balearic Islands College of Physicians, will speak.
• Family Participation: Relatives of the honored doctors will be invited to share their thoughts.
• Closing Remarks: Vicent Marí, president of the Ibiza Council, and Carmen Ferrer, mayor of Santa Eulària, will conclude the act.

Conclusion

The upcoming tribute serves as a heartfelt reminder of the dedication, sacrifice, and evolution of medical practice in the Pitiusas. By honoring past physicians and recognizing the families that supported them, the College of Physicians aims to inspire current and future doctors to advocate for better working conditions while preserving the compassionate spirit that has defined island health care for generations.

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Images Credit: www.diariodeibiza.es