Business as usual despite doctors’ strike

IT was business as usual at hospitals and health centres as just 3.74 per cent of doctors backed the first day of a series of strikes.

While the Medical Union said a third of the doctors who can freely exercise their right to strike have backed it, the Andalucian Health Delegation reported only 85 doctors out of a total of 2,274 on the morning shift joining the protest.

Activity was reported to be almost normal at the Carlos Haya Hospital in Malaga, while the University Hospital had to postpone 10 operations as three operating theatres were closed along with seven doctor’s offices.

The Health Delegation said the strike was backed by just two doctors in the Malaga district and none in the GuadalhorceValley area.  However, the union said it was closer to 25 per cent support from health centres and 40 per cent at MalagaUniversityHospital.

It did admit that there was not as much support as expected and blamed the “excessive” minimum services put in place by the Health Delegation.

The protest was called as a response to the Junta de Andalucia increasing a working week to 37.5 hours for no extra pay. The Junta argues that these measures have been “imposed” by central government.

Staff at health centres and hospitals throughout Andalucia will take it in turns to go on strike in a series of one day protests until June 4.

Doctors at Carlos Haya, MalagaUniversityHospital and the Malaga-Guadalhorce Valley District are called to strike again on March 6 and April 24.

The regional hospitals and health centres in the Antequera, Ronda and Axarquia areas will be on strike on February 5, March 20 and May 9; and the Costa del Sol health centres, Costa del Sol Hospital and the Chare in Benalmadena on February 19, April 10 and May 23.