Thousands Protest Healthcare Cuts in Madrid

Protesters carried signs with images of scissors and the word "NO' on them as they called on the government to halt plans to privatize some of the country's major hospitals.

Published

5 months ago

Categories

World

Topics

Europe

Places

Spain, Madrid

Transcript

Thousands of health care care workers took to the streets of Madrid with a simple message --- No. No to budget cuts they will say will affect the quality of health care. Current plans will mean higher prices for prescription medicine and closer monitoring of health services. Ahead of this mass protest, healthcare workers have staged walk outs and sit-ins within the country's main hospitals to protest plans to privatize them. Many fear reduced budgets will lead to job cuts and contracts not being renewed. The ruling People's party says the cuts will save 10 billion euros this year. Conservatives estimate Spain has nearly 15 billion euros in unpaid debts.