Madrid-Spain-January 16, 2023

Dressed in white coats, holding up banners

Written on it "reducing services in the healthcare sector is a criminal act," amid chants demanding the resignation of the right-wing leader of the Madrid region Isabel Diaz Ayuso, tens of thousands of Spanish health workers took part in a demonstration in the center of the capital Madrid, against what they say is the destruction by the conservative regional government of the public health system, which is basically witnessing a crisis on several levels.

The regional government of Madrid, led by Isabel Diaz Ayuso from the Popular Party, has been subjected to harsh criticism in recent years, especially during the spread of the pandemic "covid-19", which saw a shortage of staff in hospitals and health care centers.

The protesters stressed that the actions of the regional government will harm the healthcare system by dismantling public health services and giving preference to private health workers.

The organizers of the demonstration noted that Madrid spends less money on primary health care than any other Spanish region, despite being the richest in the country and having the highest per capita income.

Isabel Diaz Ayuso denies allegations that her administration is undermining public health services in favor of the private sector, and maintains that these demonstrations are organized by leftist parties for electoral purposes.

It is worth mentioning that last November witnessed a mass demonstration in the center of Madrid in which tens of thousands of health workers took part to demand better working conditions.