Doctors’ strike empties hospitals of staff, patients

Santo Domingo.- Consultations at public hospitals were null Thursday on the first day of a 48 hour walkout by the Dominican Medical College (CMD) which demands improved conditions at hospitals and the hiring of specialists at health centers, especially the Northwest.

The few people who went to the major hospitals (Reid Cabral, Contreras and Moscoso Puello) couldn’t talk to doctors, who suspended consultations as patients were sent home.

Nonetheless several of the self-managed public hospitals such as Arias Lora, Cardio-Neuro Ophthalmology and Transplant Center (Cecanot), the Mendoza Almánzar Pediatric and Maternity clinic, among others provide normal services, because their medical staff is under contract.