Health workers protest in Madrid over cuts

Thousands take to the streets in Spain's capital over 'erosion of public services

Thousands of health workers marched through Spain's capital on Sunday to protest about what they claim is the erosion of Madrid's public healthcare system by its conservative regional government.

The latest in a series of protest actions, including strikes, by Madrid's public health workers, attracted about 30,000 demonstrators, a spokesman for the regional government said.

Issues with healthcare services are showing not only in Spain, but all over Europe. Healthcare systems across the continent are struggling with backlogs as they tackle a "triple epidemic" of COVID-19, seasonal flu, and the respiratory syncytial virus, reported The Daily Telegraph last week.

Protesters in Madrid were heard chanting "cutting public health is criminal", and carried homemade signs with slogans that translated to "S.O.S. Public Health care" and "Stop Privatization".

Led by the Popular Party's Isabel Ayuso, the Madrid regional government has faced strong criticism since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020 over lack of staffing in hospitals and in primary healthcare centers, and poor funding.

Despite having the highest per capita income, Madrid spends the least amount per capita on primary healthcare of any Spanish region, reported Associated Press news service. Unions claim that for every 2 euros ($2.16) spent on healthcare in Madrid, one ends up in the private sector.

One doctor, who has worked in primary care in Madrid for 37 years, told Reuters that poor staffing was the main problem.

"We have about 40 or 50 patients per day and can give them about six minutes each," said Ana Encinas, 62. "The problem is that they do not allow us to give proper care to patients."

Last November, medical workers protested against the regional government's plan to allow more private participation in healthcare partnerships, reported Reuters.

Ayuso claims the protests were motivated by political interests of left-wing rivals in the run-up to regional elections in May, and denies allegations that her administration is undermining public health services in favor of the private sector.

In Italy, medics have warned emergency departments are being "pushed to their limit", and in France people are being urged to wear masks indoors again because of the rising number of COVID-19 infections.

Sweden's Public Health Agency warned on Jan 8 that the spread of respiratory viruses was at a "high level" and that the "burden on the healthcare system is great".

As with the United Kingdom's National Health Service, the crises are the result of the pandemic and long-term problems that have been building up for many years.

The Telegraph noted governments are now battling to cut waiting lists, while also addressing demands from healthcare services for more funding to manage the needs of older patients as inflation diminishes their budgets.