Doctors at the José Molina Orosa Hospital in Lanzarote have walked out as part of a nationwide strike over proposed changes to their pay and working conditions.
The medics gathered outside the hospital’s Outpatient Clinics earlier today, Friday, and are calling on Spain’s Ministry of Health to agree a new deal that recognises the demands and pressures of their profession.
The strike, led by the State Confederation of Medical Unions (CESM) and the Andalusian Medical Union (SMA), comes five years after the last national doctors' strike during the height of the pandemic. Despite ongoing talks with the Health Minister, Mónica García, unions say no agreement has been reached.
The dispute centres on plans to force specialist doctors to work only in public healthcare for their first five years. Senior doctors, including department heads and coordinators, would also be affected.
Unions argue that a new professional grading system, which would classify doctors alongside other university graduates, undermines their years of specialised training and the responsibility that comes with their roles.
They are also angry that the draft law fails to address issues around retirement or how on-call shifts are counted towards pensions.
García has defended the government’s position, insisting that talks are still ongoing, saying, "We respect all the demands, but believe this proposal responds to the needs of healthcare workers."
