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Chaos in Nicaraguan Hospitals
The Nicaraguan government´s
reluctance to meet striking
doctors´ demands and the closing
of emergency wards as part of
the labor stoppage they began
Wednesday have brought chaos to
local public hospitals Thursday,
with no solution in sight.
The over 3,000 physicians
grouped in the Pro-Wage Doctors´
Association have refused to
provide emergency services,
until the government guarantees
a 70 percent wage increase.
However, the health ministry
keeps maintaining the same
position, with Minister
Margarita saying the entity
lacks funds to meet the demand.
When touring several health
centers in Managua Wednesday,
the minister threatened to ask
the minister of labour to
declare the strike illegal,
status that would lead to
layoffs.
Meanwhile, chaos continues
prevailing in the 32 public
hospitals nationwide, where most
of emergency cases are being
treated by paramedics, doctors
performing administrative tasks,
and medical staff affiliated to
the Federation of Health Workers
(FETSALUD), which oppose the
closing of emergency wards.
Trade union leader Gustavo
Porras said the low-income
population –the most regular
client of public hospitals- is
the most affected by the
doctors-government disagreement.
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