The Canary Islands Medical Union (CESM Canarias) has communicated the decision to escalate protests against the regional Government's Department of Health. The initiative, named 'Stop funciona' (Stop functioning), aims to force the administration to address the collective's demands, which include updating pay conditions, improving rest periods and on-call duties, and adjusting staffing levels.
According to the union, a significant portion of the activity that helps reduce waiting lists and maintain special programs in the archipelago's healthcare centers relies on the voluntary effort of physicians. The suspension will affect extended shifts, extraordinary activities, and other actions voluntarily undertaken outside of regular hours.
CESM Canarias asserts that the administration has failed to meet previous commitments and that doctors cannot continue "indefinitely sustaining the structural deficiencies of the healthcare system through voluntary effort." The measure already has the support of numerous hospital departments across various specialties.
“"For months, doctors have demonstrated our willingness to dialogue and our responsibility towards patients. However, we cannot continue indefinitely sustaining the structural deficiencies of the healthcare system through voluntary effort."
The union recalls that similar conflicts have been resolved in other autonomous communities through negotiation, citing the agreement reached in Galicia as an example. CESM Canarias calls for the immediate opening of effective negotiations to avoid further straining the operation of public hospitals in the Canary Islands. In addition to the national strike called for the week of June 15-19, Canary Islands doctors are also scheduled for regional walkouts on June 22 and 23.
