Lapua residents condemn planned health centre closure

Residents of Lapua are angry after an assessment team called for the town’s social and health centre to close as part of spending cuts, Yle reported. Under the proposed changes, residents of Lapua and Ilmajoki would have to travel to Seinäjoki for services. The team’s measures are binding on the South Ostrobothnia wellbeing services county, which is responsible for social and health services.

At Lapua’s health centre on Thursday, residents said they feared longer journeys would make it harder to get care. Seppo Pohjanoksa said he was worried that some people would reduce or stop attending appointments because of the distance. “I’ve said there’s nothing else for it but to legalise euthanasia. That way we can get rid of those needing care,” he said.

Eila Huhta said the closure would be a “death blow” to Lapua. “First they close schools and now they’re taking away the health centre,” she said.

Residents told Yle there was no shortage of patients at the centre. Officials have promised digital and mobile services as alternatives.

The assessment team’s proposals, announced on Wednesday, would remove local services in several municipalities and districts. Lapua and Ilmajoki, the fourth- and sixth-largest municipalities in South Ostrobothnia, are both set to lose their social and health centres.

The wellbeing services county has accumulated a deficit of about 120 million euros, which it must cover by 2030. Regional council chair Lasse Hautala said elected officials would have to make decisions to balance the county’s finances. The council is due to commit to financial limits next week and decide in December which services will remain.

The Ministry of Finance placed South Ostrobothnia, South Karelia and Kymenlaakso in an assessment procedure in June. The process is intended to help restore the finances of a wellbeing services county and ensure it can provide services required by law. It also restricts the county’s decision-making powers.