Health sector “in critical condition”

Santo Domingo.- The DominicanMedical Association (CMD) celebrates its 121st anniversary tomorrowand when assessing the situation in the sector, the conclusion is that the same age-old complaints and demands continue to be heard.

Amarilis Herrera (current president),Senén Caba and Waldo Ariel Suero, ex-presidents of the union, agree that thedoctors are working in “a verydifficult situation” and a health system that does not progress because of the“interests” that prevent the health system laws from being implemented. Herreraexpressed regret that governments do not comply with the agreements they signand patients still have to pay for services in public hospitals.

Senén Caba said that there is a 35% unemploymentrate among doctors, while those who have work earn “a pittance”.

Waldo Ariel Suero, ex presidenteof the CMD, says the same demands are being heard again.

In his inaugural speech yesterday,president Danilo Medina said that patients would no longer have to pay fortreatment in public hospitals.