Doctors down tools in Italy

2004-04-16 20:53

Rome - Family doctors, paediatricians and ambulance paramedics went on strike throughout Italy on Friday to voice concern about public-health care, forcing the closure of medical studios and curtailing non-emergency services.

About 80 000 medical personnel skipped work, but doctors continued to treat emergency cases and help terminal patients, said Bruno Palmas, of the family doctor's union.

Palmas said the strike was called to complain about an expired contract and to protest against the government's plans to decentralise authority for the health-care system from Rome to Italy's regions.

"There would be unacceptable differences between richer and poorer regions," he said.

"A patient may receive treatment opportunities that another patient, 10km away, may not receive."

Hospital doctors and administrative workers are planning a one-day strike on April 24 for the same reasons.

In Naples, paramedics from the city's ambulance service began a hunger strike on Friday to protest against what they said were insufficient resources to deal with possible catastrophes or terrorist attacks, as well as violations of workplace security regulations.

Paramedics said ambulances in the city would continue to make runs despite the strike.

- AP