Charles Ange Ginésy (President of the Alpes-Maritimes Department), Jean Leonetti (Mayor of Antibes Juan-les-Pins), and Pierre Corporandy (Mayor of Puget-Théniers) inaugurated the first departmental health center in Puget-Théniers on February 8, 2022, with the presence of Doctor Isabelle Aubanel, who is the director. The goal: to combat the lack of doctors in their area.
Puget-Théniers had been without a general practitioner since 2020. To address this issue, the Alpes-Maritimes opened a health center integrated into the city’s hospital. More broadly, the department launched a plan called “stop medical deserts” to fight against medical desertification, with the first decision being the opening of this center. It will provide general medicine, public health acts, and social actions. It is expected to benefit 10,000 patients.
Present at the inauguration, Charles Ange Ginésy specified in a press release that the center was already operational: “Pending the completion of the second phase of work, it can already operate in good conditions. A doctor, two nurses, a coordinator, and two secretaries are present.” However, one of the two general practitioners needed by the structure is still missing. This 320-square-meter infrastructure cost the Departmental Council 665,000 euros.
Once fully operational, the center is expected to host various services. Consultations in cardiology, dermatology, gynecology, ophthalmology, ENT, psychiatry, and gastroenterology will be provided. There will also be the possibility of being seen for sexual health visits (prevention, screening, or even medical abortion). Additionally, health check-ups will be 100% covered by health insurance. Teleconsultations will also be conducted thanks to a connected bus that will circulate throughout the Alpes d’Azur territory.
