The inauguration was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Mayor Thierry Lavit, municipal councilor for health Jean-Pierre Bassetti, Sub-prefect of Argelès-Gazost Aurore Francius Smith, Director of CPAM Hautes-Pyrénées Frédérique Boitard, Director of ARS Régine Martinet, Departmental Councilor Marie Plane, Vice-President of the Occitanie Region Jean-Louis Cazaubon, and Director of the Tarbes Lourdes and Astugues hospital centers Christian Dublé.
Doctor Didier Garnier, after whom the center is named, was present with his family. A hospital practitioner who dedicated his career to the Lourdes Hospital Center and then the Tarbes-Lourdes Hospital Center, he was honored by Thierry Lavit and Jean-Pierre Bassetti. The decision to name the center in his honor was approved by the Municipal Council on June 23, 2026.
The Didier Garnier Health Center, the result of an investment of nearly €700,000, features five medical offices, a nursing office, and full accessibility for people with reduced mobility. It was created to address the shortage of primary care physicians, a challenge faced by over 2,000 Lourdes residents according to a municipal diagnosis.
Operating under a coordinated practice model, the center ensures shared care by the entire team, preventing gaps in patient pathways. Health and administrative professionals are salaried by the City. Consultations are at Social Security rates, with no excess fees, and direct payment is applied to the mandatory portion. Appointments are taken exclusively by phone at 05 62 42 85 23.
Thierry Lavit emphasized that this center addresses the concern of being able to receive care close to home. Included in the Plan Avenir Lourdes, it forms a "true health triptych" with the fire station and the hospital. The Mayor thanked the various funders (State, Region, Department, Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées Agglomeration Community, Europe via the Leader program, ARS, CPAM) as well as the companies and City services involved in the construction. The center has been open since September 17.
Jean-Pierre Bassetti explained that the center is the result of three years of consultation with health and social sector stakeholders. Its priority is "access to care for the most vulnerable people." Partnerships are underway with EHPADs, Cegidd, the hospital, and SCANPY. The center will host interns and junior doctors. Open from Monday to Saturday morning, it has already received 250 patients, with a gradual increase in activity.
