Massive Protest in Seville Against Public Healthcare Policies
Thousands gather to oppose Andalusian government’s healthcare measures amid escalating public discontent.
On April 5, a large-scale demonstration in support of public healthcare took place in Seville, organized by trade unions Satse, CSIF, CCOO, and UGT, alongside the Coordinating Committee of Marea Blanca.
Estimates of attendance vary widely, with official government figures citing approximately 20,000 participants and organizers claiming around 100,000.
The event attracted representatives from several left-wing political parties opposed to the Andalusian government led by Juanma Moreno of the Popular Party (PP-A).
The protest began at 11:00 AM from Calle José Laguillo, making its way to the San Telmo Palace, the seat of the Andalusian government.
Under the slogan "Against the Dismantling of Public Healthcare," demonstrators voiced their discontent regarding the current administration's healthcare policies.
The organizers stated that public healthcare in Andalusia is currently at risk due to the government's preference for a weakened public health system.
They criticized the significant allocation of public funds to large pharmaceutical companies and the private healthcare sector.
According to these unions, public healthcare workers are experiencing unprecedented levels of mistreatment from the administration.
They further accused the Health Minister of institutional disloyalty, citing a failure to honor agreements concerning improvements in primary healthcare and professional career development.
The mobilization was supported by over twenty civic organizations, political parties, and professional collectives, including hundreds of professionals from the Andalusian Health Service (SAS).
The demonstrators called for increased funding per capita for public healthcare, demanding alignment with at least the national average, and a redistribution of the healthcare budget to prioritize public service rather than private interests.
The unions stressed the urgent need to enhance primary healthcare, calling attention to aggressive government policies undermining public health services.
They insisted on compliance with previously established agreements to increase staffing levels, reorganize management, empower professionals, and meet the healthcare needs of citizens, especially those in rural areas facing significant service deficiencies.
Additionally, they urged adherence to the May 2023 Career Development Pact, which includes addressing salary disparities with the rest of the country and ensuring that healthcare professionals have adequate resources to perform their duties effectively.
Among the attendees was María Jesús Montero, the General Secretary of PSOE-A, who highlighted the significance of public participation in advocating for high-quality healthcare.
Montero remarked that the demonstration represents a demand for improved conditions for healthcare professionals and a restoration of the public healthcare system that had previously been at the forefront of medical innovation and patient rights.
Inma Nieto, the spokesperson for the parliamentary group Por Andalucía, criticized the administration for the alleged deterioration of public healthcare under Moreno’s leadership.
She claimed that over 2 billion euros had been funneled to private clinics in an attempt to reduce waiting lists, which she argued has only exacerbated the situation.
Nieto emphasized that this ongoing diversion of public funds to the private sector is contributing to growing waiting times and high medication costs.
Alejandra Durán, a representative of Podemos, stated that thousands have joined the protest to demand an end to policies that dismantle public healthcare.
She expressed concern over the government’s financial prioritization of private healthcare, urging immediate adherence to agreements for bolstering primary care capabilities.
José Ignacio García, spokesperson for Adelante Andalucía, characterized the event as a pivotal moment, stating the public is increasingly discontented with the government's approach to healthcare.
He condemned the prevailing belief that public services can be commodified and sold, asserting the necessity of defending public healthcare as an essential service.
The demonstration represents a complex cross-section of societal frustrations regarding healthcare issues in Andalusia, highlighting ongoing tensions between public service advocates and the current administration's policies.
Estimates of attendance vary widely, with official government figures citing approximately 20,000 participants and organizers claiming around 100,000.
The event attracted representatives from several left-wing political parties opposed to the Andalusian government led by Juanma Moreno of the Popular Party (PP-A).
The protest began at 11:00 AM from Calle José Laguillo, making its way to the San Telmo Palace, the seat of the Andalusian government.
Under the slogan "Against the Dismantling of Public Healthcare," demonstrators voiced their discontent regarding the current administration's healthcare policies.
The organizers stated that public healthcare in Andalusia is currently at risk due to the government's preference for a weakened public health system.
They criticized the significant allocation of public funds to large pharmaceutical companies and the private healthcare sector.
According to these unions, public healthcare workers are experiencing unprecedented levels of mistreatment from the administration.
They further accused the Health Minister of institutional disloyalty, citing a failure to honor agreements concerning improvements in primary healthcare and professional career development.
The mobilization was supported by over twenty civic organizations, political parties, and professional collectives, including hundreds of professionals from the Andalusian Health Service (SAS).
The demonstrators called for increased funding per capita for public healthcare, demanding alignment with at least the national average, and a redistribution of the healthcare budget to prioritize public service rather than private interests.
The unions stressed the urgent need to enhance primary healthcare, calling attention to aggressive government policies undermining public health services.
They insisted on compliance with previously established agreements to increase staffing levels, reorganize management, empower professionals, and meet the healthcare needs of citizens, especially those in rural areas facing significant service deficiencies.
Additionally, they urged adherence to the May 2023 Career Development Pact, which includes addressing salary disparities with the rest of the country and ensuring that healthcare professionals have adequate resources to perform their duties effectively.
Among the attendees was María Jesús Montero, the General Secretary of PSOE-A, who highlighted the significance of public participation in advocating for high-quality healthcare.
Montero remarked that the demonstration represents a demand for improved conditions for healthcare professionals and a restoration of the public healthcare system that had previously been at the forefront of medical innovation and patient rights.
Inma Nieto, the spokesperson for the parliamentary group Por Andalucía, criticized the administration for the alleged deterioration of public healthcare under Moreno’s leadership.
She claimed that over 2 billion euros had been funneled to private clinics in an attempt to reduce waiting lists, which she argued has only exacerbated the situation.
Nieto emphasized that this ongoing diversion of public funds to the private sector is contributing to growing waiting times and high medication costs.
Alejandra Durán, a representative of Podemos, stated that thousands have joined the protest to demand an end to policies that dismantle public healthcare.
She expressed concern over the government’s financial prioritization of private healthcare, urging immediate adherence to agreements for bolstering primary care capabilities.
José Ignacio García, spokesperson for Adelante Andalucía, characterized the event as a pivotal moment, stating the public is increasingly discontented with the government's approach to healthcare.
He condemned the prevailing belief that public services can be commodified and sold, asserting the necessity of defending public healthcare as an essential service.
The demonstration represents a complex cross-section of societal frustrations regarding healthcare issues in Andalusia, highlighting ongoing tensions between public service advocates and the current administration's policies.
Translation:
Translated by AI
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