A large crowd of people attended the emotional farewell tribute to the beloved doctor Régulo Lorente in El Poble Nou de Benitatxell. After more than four decades serving the community, this outstanding health professional retires at almost 70 years of age, leaving a legacy of care and well-being for three generations of poor men and women. The Social Center was packed in an unprecedented show of gratitude and recognition towards this local eminence.
By virtue of the great affection that people have for it and anticipating a very large attendance, the City Council installed some screens to follow the act from the outside in case the Social Center was too small. And as expected, so it was. Luckily, the weather respected this important event and hundreds of people were able to convey their affection to the doctor.
Showing his emotion, Régulo told how he and his wife arrived from a small town in Ávila to Benitatxell. «I arrived with the intention of staying a year and then going to Dénia, Xàbia or another place. But one year turned into 40. After her, her daughter Laura was born, who went to the “Pou Street” daycare center, to school and to high school with the same group of friends. "She lived a very happy childhood in the town," said the doctor.
No Dating: "Who's Last?"
He also recalled how medicine has changed in his long history. At first, the consultation was on Avenida de València, at the current Local Police checkpoint. «We were in what they called the doctor's house and we had an office and a small waiting room attached. Teresa, the mother of Antonio and Pepita, was in charge of always having her ready». There were no phones, no appointments, no waiting lists. «People would arrive and ask: Who is the last one?, and they would make an appointment with each other. We attended to all the people who arrived. There were days that were 20 and others that were 40. And until I got to attend to the last one, the consultation was not over ».
The assistance was very close, and people felt cared for and cared for. Especially on home visits. As the doctor narrated, “every day I took my briefcase and made four or five visits to the elderly. I would sit with them by the fireplace or by the stove and chat with them about their illness or any other problem.'
Later, the office was reformed and transformed into a larger clinic, with three large offices, a waiting room and "the famous counter", where "Don Francisco, Vicenta's husband" attended. It was already in 2006 when the current Health Center opened in Plaça de les Pesqueres. "Until then, for 24 years, I can say that I was the best doctor in town, because I was the only one there was," Régulo joked.
Everything changes: computerization, appointments and waiting lists
From then on, everything changed. The previous appointment, the telephone appointment and the waiting lists appeared. Consultations were computerized and electronic medical records and bureaucracy arrived. "It was very difficult for us to adapt. To you and me. People were used to showing up without an appointment and being served. But with the prior appointment the delay appears. The patients were no longer treated today or tomorrow, but perhaps they would be given an appointment for three days from now. And we went from a consultation of sitting down to talk to the patient and whatever was necessary, to looking at the computer and not looking at him face to face”.
But without a doubt, as Régulo himself assured, the most complicated situation that he had to experience during his 40-year career was the pandemic. “We all suffer a lot, the health workers and the patients. The first four months we did not know what to do nor did we have protective equipment, "said Régulo, who was moved and his voice broke when he spoke of the people who stayed on the road. «We lost José Antonio, Pepe and Rosa. It was very hard. Fortunately, that has passed and now the suffering remains in the families who lost their loved ones.
The event was massive and very special. It was opened by the Councilor for Health, Isa Garrido, who stressed that Régulo's retirement is one of those days that, although expected, "we would never have wanted to arrive." Because, as she affirmed, he has been for the people of the town much more than a doctor. «Your consultation has been more than just a place to tell the problems of the body waiting for a solution that would cure or alleviate us. It has also been a place where we have gone to tell you the things of the soul, those that sometimes we do not dare to tell our family at home for not alarming them or not causing them concern.
The mayor also wanted to highlight that human side, Miguel Ángel García. «You have been a key and very important piece for many generations. You have always treated us professionally, tactfully, with empathy and with a lot of humanity. As if you were part of the family of each one of us. In each consultation you have made us feel unique to you, important. And I know for sure that this is how all the people who are here today feel it.
Appointment of favorite son
In the act it was advanced that soon the proposal to name Régulo Lorente favorite son of El Poble Nou de Benitatxell will be raised in full. After the parliaments, the mayor and the councilor presented him with a gift: a painting with a panoramic view of the municipality painted by local artist María Monfort.
The president of the Association of Retired and Pensioners of the municipality, Mónica García, did the same, who did not want to miss the opportunity to thank him for all he has done for the elderly. To finish, most of the attendees wanted to show her their affection with talks, photos, kisses and effusive hugs, many of them appearing very excited and moved.
