ZAGREB, June 28 (Hina) - About 95 percent of Croatian doctors and dentists took part in today's strike, organised by the Doctors' Union, while the majority of patients stayed home, the union's leader, Ivica Babic, said at a press
conference on Friday.
ZAGREB, June 28 (Hina) - About 95 percent of Croatian doctors and
dentists took part in today's strike, organised by the Doctors'
Union, while the majority of patients stayed home, the union's
leader, Ivica Babic, said at a press conference on Friday. #L#
The strike was banned only in the hospital in Vukovar, some problems
were reported in Zadar, whereas in other hospitals in the country
this action succeeded. A lower turnout was in Zagreb, Babic said.
He thanked patients for not coming into clinics and hospitals, as
they thus supported, Babic believes, the doctors' demands.
According to reports from clinics, 30 to 40 percent of the usual
number of patients asked for help, most being urgent cases, Babic
said.
During the strike, all strikers were in their offices and worked in
line with the union's instructions, offering help to urgent cases,
patients in hospitals, and patients who came from afar.
Babic again dismissed the government's assessment that the strike
was illegal, explaining that after they had announced it the
unionists held two meetings with Health Minister Andro Vlahusic. In
addition to this, the legal regulations were also respected,
according to the association of employers in the health system.
The union urged the resumption of the dialogue and agreement on the
deadlines for the fulfilment of their demands, or it would again
organise a general strike.
Doctors insist on a salary of 7,000 kuna (960 euros) for doctors
trainees and of 9,000 (EUR 1230) for medical specialists as well as
the protection of the rights and the signing of a branch collective
agreement.
(hina) sb ms