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Over 140'000 Spanish men regularly use Viagra and, from the start of next year, Viagra will be free to men with medical problems in the Balearics. But, while the announcement by the Balearic Minister for Health, Aina Salom, will be welcomed in certain sections of the community, her decision to also make the “morning after pill” available for free to women over 18, is expected to attract some controversy, especially from religious circles. Salom yesterday outlined the proposals in the regional health budget for 2003, but the Viagra announcement also, oddly enough, coincides with its fourth anniversary this week. Salom will also be looking to the local government to multiply the financial assistance given to patients who have to transfer to another island or the mainland for treatment by five from 2.04 euros per day to 12. Extra funding and resources are also going to be channelled in to improving child health care. For example free hearing implants will be available for deaf children and extra subsidies for dental care will also be available. The Minister, accompanied by the director general for financial planning for the newly formed Balearic health service, Pablo Rivero, said she wants to set up a network bringing primary, hospital and home health care together under one roof to maximise efficiency and the quality of services provided at all levels of health care in the Balearics. In short, Salom and her department have looked at services provided by other autonomous health services and, on spotting the deficiencies in the Balearics, worked on making the health benefits available here as quickly as possible.