Devastating impact of the doctors' strike
The crisis in the Madrid Health Service (Sermas) has reached alarming levels after 22 days of strike, resulting in the suspension of over 180,000 outpatient appointments, 8,900 surgeries, and 18,877 diagnostic tests. This stoppage has generated an approximate cost of 14 million euros, putting the sustainability of the Madrid healthcare system at risk.
The Health Minister, Fátima Matute, has made an urgent call to the Ministry of Health to get directly involved in resolving the conflict. In her statements, Matute emphasized the urgent need to establish a national negotiation table that addresses the particularities of the medical profession, suggesting that it is essential to have a specific medical statute that does not compete with other professional categories.
Throughout her speech, Matute openly criticized the central Government for its lack of attention to the needs of the health sector. “While laws are being discussed to free terrorists, the doctors who save lives are still waiting for answers,” she stated. The minister stressed that the Executive must modify crucial aspects such as the work calculation for retirements, including on-call hours.
Despite the current difficulties, Matute proposed closer collaboration between different ministries to address this healthcare crisis. “We not only need to talk to the doctors; it is essential to involve the Treasury and Public Administration,” she insisted. The minister highlighted that any reform must be viable from a technical and economic standpoint and cannot be managed solely by the Ministry of Health.
As the strike continues, the Community of Madrid has begun to implement an internal plan to relax working conditions within the healthcare system. This includes eliminating mandatory 24-hour shifts to improve workplace wellbeing and attract more professionals to the sector.
Despite the efforts made by the regional Government, Matute warned about the critical limits facing the autonomous system: “We cannot withstand much longer without serious consequences.” The minister directly blamed the central Government for this critical situation and reiterated her commitment to healthcare professionals, describing them as “the greatest treasure” of the National Health System.
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