Protests in Madrid Against Public Health Privatization

Sunday, April 21. A massive demonstration was staged in the main streets of the capital to protest the plans of the government of the Community of Madrid to privatize the management of six hospitals and 27 health centers.

Tens of thousands of people joined this Sunday the so called White Tide, an allusion to the color of the doctors’ white coat, to demand free, quality public health.

Users and professionals, mostly dressed in their white coats, joined this new peaceful protest, called by several trade unions under the slogan ” Public health is not sold, but defended “

The march, fifth so far this year, began in the central Plaza de Cibeles, where several columns that started from various hospitals in the region gathered, ending up at famous Puerta del Sol.

In a statement read at the end of the demonstration, the organizers accused the Madrid government, led by the right-wing ruling Popular Party (PP), of assembling mounting a plan to benefit speculators.

The organizers of the White Tide demanded the resignation of the president of the Community of Madrid, Ignacio Gonzalez, and his Health Minister Javier Fernández-Lasquetty.

Source: http://www.plenglish.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1334671&Itemid=1