The indefinite doctors' strike begins, with massive participation expected.

PalmThe doctors' strike began this Monday in the Balearic Islands with an expected participation rate of between 75% and 85%, according to available data. This was confirmed by the president of the Balearic Islands Medical Union (Simebal) and the Spanish Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM), Miguel Lázaro, at the start of a week of strikes that will continue in the coming months. At the entrance to Son Espases University Hospital, where the day began with a gathering of healthcare professionals, Lázaro emphasized the commitment of the group and the unanimous rejection of the new Framework Statute promoted by the Ministry of Health. "What we are asking for is reasonable and has sparked unprecedented unity among doctors," he stated. According to the president of Simebal, the rejection of the text is shared by professional associations, Resident Physicians (MIRs), students, deans of medical schools, and scientific societies. "There is no medical organization, union or non-union, that is not against that statute," he emphasized.

The unions are demanding a specific statute for the medical and medical staff that recognizes the "special conditions of training, practice, and responsibility" of these professionals. Lázaro apologized to patients who may be affected by the minimum services and delays, and urged them to trust the doctors' judgment. "We were here during the pandemic. We know what we're doing. We're doing this for them too," he said. The union representative warned that the excessive workload and marathon shifts eventually take their toll. "The worst thing that can happen to a patient is to be treated by an exhausted doctor. When a professional is burned out, the contact with the patient becomes dehumanized," he pointed out. In his opinion, a specific statute would help retain talent, prevent the exodus of doctors to Europe or private healthcare, and strengthen the public system. "Public healthcare is being dismantled," he warned. Lázaro has also demanded the resumption of negotiations, which he considers to have been broken off by the Minister of Health, Mónica García. During the strike days, hospitals in the Balearic Islands will hold daily rallies at 8:30 a.m. in support of the professionals who will have to provide minimum services. Coordinated national strike

The strike is part of a nationwide action affecting doctors and medical professionals throughout Spain. The Strike Committee is comprised of the Spanish Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM), the Andalusian Medical Union (SMA), Doctors of Catalonia (MC), the Association of Doctors and Higher Education Graduates of Madrid (AMYTS), and the Basque Medical Union (SME). This is the first coordinated action by these organizations, which for the past three years have expressed their discontent with the direction of the Statute Marc, the legislation that regulates the working conditions of professionals in the National Health System and which the Ministry of Health has negotiated with the relevant unions.