Doctors protest for higher wages and better working conditions

Doctors from throughout the country held a protest on Saint Mark's Square on Saturday under the slogan "An S.O.S. for Croatian Health." The protest was organized by five doctor's associations, who called for higher wages and better working conditions.

Doctors at the protest say they are overburdened and underpaid. The president of the Croatian Doctors Union, Dr. Renata Čulinović Čajić reminded that they had already reached an agreement with political leaders on much needed changes to the health sector: "We held talks with politicians six months ago. We agreed to concrete measures that would revive the Croatian health care system and fundamental reforms. Precise deadlines were set. And what has been done since then? Nothing."

For her part the president of the Coordination of General Practitioners, Dr. Nataša Ban Toskić called for Health Minister Vili Beroš to step down: "Minister Beroš, we no longer want to stand by and watch our treasure, our inheritance, our public health system crumble. For that reason we call on you today to step aside and let someone who has the will and the know-how do this job."

They also noted that every third young doctor leaves Croatia for better jobs abroad. The president of the Croatian Doctors Association, Dr. Krešimir Luetić: "We have understanding for our colleagues who left to work abroad. But we are still here. We want to live and work in Croatia. We want our children to grow up here. We want to treat our people."

Source: HRT