78 Chilean hospitals hamstrung as health strike enters second day

Demanding improved working conditions including more specialists, updated technology and a fairer distribution of resources, the National Federation of Health Workers (FENATS) went on strike Wednesday across the country.

Union leaders promised a minimum service for emergencies would be maintained, as the movement gathered technicians, paramedics and administrative assistants. Activities undertaken by the workers included talks in hospitals with patients to inform the wider public of the importance of their actions.

FENATS President Óscar Riveros said the workers’ fundamental concern lay with the distribution of resources.

“We lack resources on many levels, but an added problem is that a large part of our dedicated budget goes towards the purchase of private services from outside companies,” Riveros told press. “For example, in the past year US$1.2 billion went to private clinics.”

Health Minister Jaime Mañalich responded to the strike by highlighting the government’s commitment to improving public health.

“We have increased the budget from US$6 billion to US$10 billion and went from forming 130 specialists a year to more than 830,” Mañalich said in a statement. “In the past decade, 10 new hospitals were delivered and in the next there will be a further 65. In this respect, the efforts we are making to have a public healthcare system that meets the needs of the public is a very specific response to the concerns raised by the unions today.”

Riveros said the health crisis exists in hospitals across the country and suffers from a lack of public recognition. He said the problem’s pervasiveness can affect patients in dramatic ways and gave the example of Jorge Delgado, 47, who on Sunday jumped to his death from the fourth floor of the Hospital San Juan de Dios in downtown Santiago. Delgado’s family later accused the hospital of negligence and said the patient suffered from depression after his cancer operation had been delayed three times.

The strike is due to continue Thursday with planned marches throughout the country. Workers at Posta Central hospital in downtown Santiago will hold hands around the building to protest the recent removal of hunger strike participants.

This nationwide strike joins a cohort of labor movements currently taking place in Chile, where postal workers have been off the job for 15 days. Last week, workers at Chile’s largest copper mine, Escondida, laid down their tools for a surprise 24-hour strike. The transport, retail and sanitation sectors have all been hit by strikes over the last few weeks.

Charlotte Sexauer (charlotte@santiagotimes.cl)

Copyright 2013 - The Santiago Times