The objective of the mobilization is to demand a specific Framework Statute that recognizes the particularities of the profession and to denounce the lack of dialogue from the regional Government. Under a banner with the slogan “For a Specific Statute for the Medical and Facultative Profession”, dozens of professionals chanted slogans such as “It’s a vocation, not exploitation” and “These are the hands that heal you”.
The mobilization is part of the week of strikes called by doctors and medical professionals throughout Spain, with an intermittent nature — one week of strike per month — continuing the days held in February, March, and April. The strike affects all doctors and medical professionals in the Community of Madrid, including those in Primary Care, Hospitals, and Outpatient Care, as well as resident doctors and specialized medical professionals.
“"We professionals don't care if the solutions come from the Ministry or from the Community. Each part has its share of responsibility, and what cannot happen is that they are using all of this as a partisan political throwing weapon between them and not implementing the solutions that were necessary yesterday."
The general secretary of Amyts, Ángela Hernández, criticized that the Minister of Health, Fátima Matute, has not yet received the regional Strike Committee “in person”. So far, the committee has held two meetings with the Ministry, the last one described as "disappointing".
Hernández highlighted that Madrid is one of only three autonomous communities, along with Ceuta and Melilla, that has not implemented the 35-hour work week. She also denounced "multiple breaches" of previous agreements.
The union leader insisted that the Community of Madrid has one of the highest costs of living in Spain, but ranks low in the payment of on-call duties, being "the third to last" in the remuneration of an on-call hour on weekdays and "the second to last" on holidays.
The Ministry of Health has quantified the damage caused by the strike days since December at 15,713,509 euros. In 26 strike days spread over six months, 10,022 surgeries, 205,578 consultations, and 21,127 tests have been suspended.
At the regional level, the Strike Committee is demanding a new "open and permanent" professional career model, early retirement, an increase in on-call pay to 175%, transitional compensation for the loss of the 2010 extra payment, and the equalization of Gómez Ulla Hospital with the Madrilenian Health Service in terms of remuneration and mobility.
The demands also include specific measures for Primary Care Dentistry, such as quota limits, agenda sizing, minimum resources, and productivity improvements.
