The National Civil Protection System reported 132,336 health services during the August holidays in El Salvador

August vacation in El Salvador: 132,336 health services, nearly 3,000 calls to SEM, and hospitals open 24 hours (Archive image, courtesy of SEM)The National Civil Protection System of El Salvador reported 132,336 services provided by the Integrated Health System during the August holiday period. The figure includes medical consultations, emergencies, and referrals, according to official data presented at a press conference by heads of state institutions. According to the director of the Medical Emergency System, Carlos Orellana, these services were distributed as 87,502 consultations, 41,497 emergencies, and 3,337 referrals to different levels of care. Orellana indicated that the Medical Emergency System (SEM) received about 3,000 calls and carried out 2,247 primary care services, with air, sea, or land ambulances depending on the need. During the holidays, the healthcare infrastructure included the operation of 30 hospitals from the Ministry of Health, 10 hospitals from the Salvadoran Social Security Institute, and 15 medical units, all available 24 hours. The official emphasized the coordinated work of institutions such as the Ministry of Health, the Salvadoran Social Security Institute (ISSS), FOSALUD, and the Medical Emergency System, focused on ensuring access to health for residents and visitors. "We have deployed all installed capacity to ensure continuous care in hospitals, medical units, emergency centers, and international health offices at borders," Orellana pointed out. The director of the Medical Emergency System outlined the scope of services provided by the Integrated Health System in August. He spoke of inter-institutional coordination and permanent coverage for residents and visitors during the holiday. Regarding traffic, Deputy Minister of Transport Nelson Reyes detailed that the deployment of managers, inspectors, and tow truck operators, in coordination with the National Civil Police (PNC), mobilized around 15,000 personnel at strategic points across the country. "Our main goal was to ensure safe and smooth travel, intensifying efforts during the high season," Reyes stated, who also noted that road accidents decreased by 17% compared to the previous year, as did the number of fatalities. The number of injured, however, increased, probably due to a higher number of passengers per incident. Actions included the free service of MOPT tow trucks, with 1,160 assists and nearly 37,000 kilometers traveled to assist drivers in difficulty. 80% of these services were concentrated in the central area of the country, followed by the west and east. "We also increased arrests for dangerous driving, with 21 more people than last year, which represents a 36% increase," warned the deputy minister, who reminded that driving under the influence of alcohol is a criminal offense. From the General Directorate of Civil Protection, Luis Alonso Ayala highlighted the deployment in high tourist flow areas such as beaches, volcanoes, and lakes. According to the official, no deaths were reported from aquatic rescue at public or private beaches, as a result of strategies implemented together with the National Civil Police, the Naval Force, the Salvadoran Red Cross (CRS), Salvage Commandos, and Green Cross. 34 beaches were monitored at 180 observation points. Civil Protection and rescue teams monitored dozens of beaches and tourist zones, and at the close, they reported interventions in water, deaths outside the shoreline, and a record of incidents at various hotspots. Ayala confirmed three deaths in other aquatic environments: one in a pond in Chapeltique, another in a maritime accident at the Bajón mouth, and another on the promenade of Lake Ilopango. In rescues, Civil Protection reported 81 cases, of which 65 were classified as deep rescues, with adults predominating among those affected. Regarding fires, the tally included 14 in brush, 18 structural, four in landfills, and 13 in vehicles. Authorities also supervised the influx in mountain and volcano areas, with preventive actions coordinated with territorial delegates and municipal commissions.