5 injured in a protest of Medicine students

Five students of pharmacy and dental specialties have been injured on Wednesday in a protest held inside the Mustapha Pacha University Hospital, in downtown Algiers, as about 800 protesters attempted to cross police cordon installed at the exits of the hospital.

Violent clashes between resident doctors and students against law and order forces erupted at about 11 AM, in the back entrance of Mustapha Pacha University Hospital, causing the injury of 5 protesters, including a girl, in addition to several loss consciousness cases who were evacuated to the hospital emergency.

The protesters tried, vainly, to hold a march toward President Office, in El Mouradia suburb, in upper Algiers.

The student condemned a police element’s statements when he told them “I’m proud to beat you, because it’s my job.”

The resident doctors claim to be granted the doctor status and category 16 once recruited. They claim also the police to leave the hospital. 

However, nearly 4 thousand resident doctors and 500 medicine students have marched inside Mustapha Pacha Hospital to require Minister of Health to meet immediately his promises. They further chanted anti police slogans, including “shame, shame, police became unjust!”

Resident doctors require authorities to lift the compulsory 2 to 5 year civil service period in state run hospitals before being acquired their degree. They also claim to have their organic law, and increase their allowances; otherwise they will restart anew unlimited strike.