Catalonia doctors strike
by Eduardo de La Sota
In some areas of Spain, doctors are also becoming even militant.
Several months ago, the Spanish Government decided to increase funds for healthcare, which is managed and provided by the 17 autonomous regions.
This was very well received. But in April, doctors from Catalonia began a strike due to the overload they face (almost 40 patients per day from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. for general practitioners).
Unions are on the move and the population is somewhat worried by both the strike and the doctors’ workload. In Spain, an aging and increasing population (43 million), plus immigrants’ needs, and pharmaceutical as well as technology costs, are all pushing up total healthcare costs. The Socialist Government of Zapatero also recently passed a law to protect dependent people and provide new care services. Thus an increase in total costs for Health and Social Services in Spain in the short, and the mid- term, is assured. Spain is growing at about 3,7 % in terms of GNP, which is why a deficit is has not yet appeared, but many people are very worried about it.
The Catalonia doctors - 11,000, including general health practitioners and hospital doctors were called to strike, by the Sindicato de Médicos (doctors’ union), during three days in March, two in April and 3/4th of May. Patricio Martínez, Secretary of the Sindicato de Médicos, stated that doctors must pursue a specific agreement (which differs from that of other healthcare professionals), and that should include responsibility recognition, increase in staffing and the promotion of continuous education.
Meanwhile, Catalonia’s Health Minister, Mariana Geli, responded that the government’s aim is to continue negotiations. According to the Union, 84% of doctors have been involved in the strike, but Catalonia’s Government reported that only 36% of physicians were involved.
Nonetheless, some basic services in hospitals and emergency units have been maintained.
On 3 May, the Catalan Unions CCOO, UGT, CEMSATSE and CATAC-CTS agreed, in a statement, that they consider unnecessary a law that the Catalan government is promoting to transform the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS) - which provides regional healthcare for Catalonia - into a public service. Luisa Montes, from CCOO-Cataluna union, declared that this plan would not help the ICS to be more efficient.
This article was published on 05/01/2006