In Andalusia, nearly 300,000 medical appointments and procedures were canceled in just one week. This was the result of a large-scale doctors’ strike, which caused significant disruptions in the operation of hospitals and clinics. The region’s financial losses are estimated at almost 40 million euros, exceeding the damages from previous similar actions. For local residents, the impact was tangible: many were left without scheduled consultations, diagnostic tests, and surgeries, while the healthcare system came under additional strain.
Scale of cancellations and losses
According to Ale Espanol, five days of protests in Andalusia led to the cancelation of 96,524 specialist consultations, 20,618 diagnostic procedures, and 5,007 surgical operations. In total, 299,430 medical services were canceled, with 177,281 in primary care and 122,149 in hospitals. The economic damage from this strike surpassed the impact of last December’s action, when losses amounted to 38 million euros. Regional authorities reported having to mobilize all available resources to minimize the impact on patients; however, it was not possible to fully offset the losses.
Andalusia’s Minister of Health, Antonio Sanz, emphasized his support for the demands of healthcare professionals, but stressed the urgent need to establish dialogue between Spain’s Ministry of Health and the professional community. According to him, the lack of contact with the central authorities and the unwillingness to discuss doctors’ working conditions only worsens the situation. He also pointed out that autonomous communities are forced to shoulder the main burden and resolve issues arising from the absence of a nationwide agreement.
Demands and government response
The strike was triggered by protracted negotiations over a new labor agreement for healthcare workers. Doctors are demanding a separate status, better working conditions, and improved pay. Regional authorities believe that finding a compromise acceptable to both sides is impossible without the involvement of Health Minister Mónica García. In Andalusia, officials argue that ignoring healthcare workers’ demands and refusing to engage with the autonomous regions leads to recurring crises within the health system.
The situation in Andalusia mirrors recent events in other regions of the country, where mass protests by education workers also sparked debates over the true extent of the strikes and their impact on society. For instance, Catalonia saw disputes between official statistics and protest organizers’ estimates, which were analyzed in detail in the article on the rise in the number of striking teachers. Such situations highlight how pressing the issue of cooperation between professional communities and the state is in Spain.
Consequences for the system
The Andalusian authorities point out that the region has one of the largest healthcare systems in Europe, which is why the effects of the strike are particularly severe here. Patients are experiencing delays in receiving care, while medical staff face increased workloads. According to the regional minister, without immediate intervention from the central government, the situation could repeat itself in the future, leading to further disruptions and financial losses.
According to Ale Espanol, regional authorities continue to stress the urgent need for dialogue with the Ministry of Health and a search for solutions to prevent such crises. Otherwise, they believe, responsibility for the consequences will fall on the central government, not on the autonomous communities.
In recent years, Spain has seen waves of protests across various sectors linked to working conditions and funding. Doctors’ strikes have taken place not only in Andalusia, but also in Madrid, Galicia, and other regions, where healthcare professionals demanded better working conditions and increased healthcare funding. Similar protests have occurred among teachers and transport workers, resulting in widespread class cancellations and schedule disruptions. These events highlight the urgent need for dialogue between professional groups and the government, as well as the importance of timely responses to the demands of workers in key sectors.
