Thousands of people took part this Saturday in the demonstrations held in Bilbao and Vitoria in defense of public health and against its “dismantling.” In them, they have accused the Basque Government of “having the US as a model” and have assured that it is “somewhat cynical that those who have been governing for decades continue to deny the problems.”
Organized by the Coordinator of Citizen Platforms in Defense of Public Health of Euskadi, and with the support of political, union and social formations, the marches started at 12:00 p.m. in Bilbao and Vitoria, while in the case of San Sebastián the protest will take place from 5:00 p.m.
In the case of the capital of Biscay, and amid cries against the cuts and warnings that “cutting health care is a criminal act”, the participants, among whom was the Pensioners Movement, walked the streets of the center of Bilbao to finish in front of the Arriaga Theater, where a statement was read warning that the “deterioration, dismantling and privatization of public health continues to increase.”
After pointing out that all this has consequences on the health of the population, they have stressed that this is the result of “irresponsible political planning and management” by the Basque Government.
In his opinion, it is “somewhat cynical that those who have been governing the institutions” and managing Osakidetza for decades “continue to deny the problems.” “We cannot describe as anything other than electoralist the fact that they now tell us, before the regional elections, that their priority is to solve these problems,” he has pointed out.
“We find it difficult to believe those who, from the Basque Government, have caused this situation. Those who for years have been dismantling public healthcare in favor of clinics and private insurance. Those who close centers or cut hours in primary care, those who promote the opening of centers without medical personnel,” they added.
In the same way, and after accusing those who say “that there are no cuts” of “privatizing at the same time the dialysis service, the citizen channel or the warehouses”, they have censored the announcement of “investments in new buildings and instruments while there is a lack of personnel in health centers”.
“It is urgent to stop the dismantling… we cannot remain silent watching how they reduce public health and primary care to a minimum, as in the US, which seems to be their model. That is why we demand a new comprehensive care model, 100% public , universal, free and of quality”, they have expressed.
For this reason, and after regretting the “collapse of emergencies”, the closure of Continuing Care Points or the “difficulties in accessing in-person care”, they have opted to refound primary care, “turning it into a cornerstone of the system”, allocating at least 25% of the health budget.
