The patients’ complaint: “There is nothing left to do but wait, they have been on strike all year”

“There is no money to go to a clinic, what can we do? If there is no attention, there is nothing left to do but wait: it may be tomorrow, the day after tomorrow or next week, you never know” is a patient’s complaint about the uncertainty generated by the constant strikes in public centers.

This Tuesday, doctors and health professionals complete the second day of strike in first and second level establishments, while workers in the sector begin a four-day strike that will affect the three levels of care. This leaves the population without access to medical services throughout the week.

It is not only their ailments, but also the constant strikes that take away their sleep to patients who go to public centers.

“We understand that they have complaints, but we patients are not to blame. They have had strikes throughout the year, and that forces us to reschedule consultations. There are treatments that are urgent and have to wait,” claimed Cristina Aramayo, a patient who had a consultation scheduled with the cardiologist this Monday. Now, you will have to wait until next week to have the tests done. studies requested by your doctor.

The measure that doctors and professionals comply with, at the call of the Federation of Unions of Medical Branches of Public Health (Fesirmes), is to demand payment of salaries. The Secretary of Conflicts, Evert Patiñoreported that they met with the Secretary of Administration and Finance, Róger Serrate, but the explanations did not convince the sector.

“They told us that there is no liquidity to pay everyone and that they could complete payments only on Friday, November 22. We cannot accept this response, our responsibilities do not wait,” said Patiño.

For his part, the leader of the workers, Robert Hurtado, ratified the four-day strike, arguing that they will maintain the measure until they cancel the October salary of all staff. “They have started paying, but “As long as they don’t pay everyone, we are not going to lift the measure,” he reiterated.

He recalled that on September 21, at the Ombudsman’s Office, an agreement was signed that until the 10th of each month the salary would be fulfilled. “They are not serious. Month worked must be paid, because debts do not wait,” he claimed.

He recognized that each time the population has to be affected, for failures of the authorities.