PATIENTS WAITING OUTSIDE HOSPITAL; AMBULANCE ARRIVING; PREGNANT WOMAN BEING ADMITTED; LABOUR WARD; NEWBORN BABY BEING WEIGHED.




Initials GL/BOB/VS/SC



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Background: MORE THAN HALF VENEZUELA'S PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES HAVE GROUND TO A HALT AS 11,000 DOCTORS EMPLOYED BY THE HEALTH MINISTRY CONTINUE THEIR TEN-DAY-OLD STRIKE, WHICH BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 3.

THE DOCTORS ARE SEEKING SALARY INCREASES AS PART OF A NEW CONTRACT OF EMPLOYMENT, ACCORDING TO DR. LISANDRO LATUFF, PRESIDENT OF THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. BUT THE VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT HAS REFUSED TO MEET THE DOCTORS' DEMANDS, AND CLAIM THAT THEY WOULD COST THE TREASURY MORE THAN 27 MILLION DOLLARS (11 MILLION POUNDS STERLING) THIS YEAR ALONE.

MEANWHILE ONLY EMERGENCY CASES, INCLUDING CHILDBIRTH, ARE BEING HANDLED AT MANY OF THE NATION'S MEDICAL CENTRES.

THERE WERE ALSO THREATS THAT THE STRIKE MIGHT SPREAD STILL FURTHER, AND INVOLVE PRIVATE MEDICAL INSTITUTIONS AS WELL AS THE STATE HOSPITALS.