Spanish doctors begin strike as 267 die from COVID-19
Spanish doctors have commenced thier first national strike in 25 years after the Health Ministry reported 18,418 new daily infections on 27th October, 2020.
The doctors across Spain began their first nationwide strike in a quarter of a century, although the disruption to hospitals was limited.
They are protesting for “better working conditions and against a new law that lowers the standards for hiring doctors.”
A recent government decree allows unspecialized doctors to practice specialized medicine, which Dr. Tomas Toranzo, head of the CESM Union, says “puts patients in danger.”
“The Health Ministry hasn’t even dignified us with a meeting to try and get us to call off the strike,” he said.
Toranzo reteirated that the strike will continue indefinitely, with doctors called to protest every last Tuesday of each month until a deal has been reached.
Hospitals are feeling growing pressure, with nearly 16,700 active COVID-19 patients – up more than 600 compared to 26th October, 2020
Now, more than one-quarter of all the country’s intensive units are used to treat those with the infectious disease.
Recent images from hospitals in Valencia and Toledo show patients being treated in the hallways due to overflowing emergency wards.
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