Doctors' strike turns violent

[NewsWhore]

What was supposed to be a non-violent demonstration turned into a clash between protestors and the police anti-riot unit. Yesterday, doctors, public transport drivers and social organizations assembled and marched towards the Presidential Palace, but were met by police wielding guns, bombs, water hoses and other equipment to keep the protestors at bay. National Police Chief Rafael Guillermo Guzman Fermin had promised that no protestor was going to get near the Presidential Palace. The march made its way from Luis Eduardo Aybar Hospital on to Federico Velasquez Avenue, Duarte Avenue and ended at the intersection of Mexico and Prudhomme avenues. Dominican Medical Association (CMD) president Waldo Ariel Suero and FENATRANO director Juan Hubieres criticized the police presence and said that the scheduled public hospital doctors' strike (26, 27 and 28 March) will go on as planned. This will be the third doctor's strike since February. In addition, the transport unions, who have joined the doctors in their campaign, have announced strikes form 9 April. In all 40 people were arrested, but were released the same day. No injuries were reported. The strike is just the latest attempt by doctors to get a decent living wage, although talks between government officials and medical representatives are in stalemate. The doctors are asking for RD$59,000 per month. They currently receive just RD$23,000. Health Minister Bautista Rojas Gomez has urged doctors who are also members of the PLD to defend their government and President in the wake of the march. He is quoted in Hoy as saying that it is always hoped that protests won't get to this stage, but that the doctors' attitude has made it difficult to engage in dialogue.

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