Algeria: Doctors & nurses on strike to protest against deteriorating situation of health sector

Algerian doctors, nurses and other health professionals are staging this Wednesday a one-day nationwide strike to protest against their deteriorating social situation and working conditions.

The industrial action was decided by the Union of research professors of University Hospitals, the National Union of Health Practitioners (SNPSP), and the National Union of Paramedics (SAP).

The strikers protest against the low death benefits granted to the families of doctors who died of Covid-19 and demand full health coverage, an increase in pension contributions and recognition of Covid-19 as an occupational disease.

The protesters are also demanding an improvement of their purchasing power, which continues to deteriorate, and better working conditions through improved staffing and funding of health infrastructures.

The health professionals denounced the pressure exerted by the Algerian authorities against trade unionists and stressed the need to respect the right to strike guaranteed by the Constitution.

The Unions decried the chaotic working conditions in hospitals battered by the pandemic and suffering from lack of drugs, ICU beds and oxygen for covid-patients, while the military junta and rulers are squandering the country’s petrodollars on weaponry purchases and seeking medical treatment overseas.

 

The strike of health personnel follows that of the personnel of the education sector that was organized under the banner of CNAPESTE (the national autonomous council of teaching personnel), as the country is witnessing one of its worst economic crises.