Doctors go on strike in Algiers

Dozens of angry doctors yesterday marched in the central square of Mustapha Bacha hospital, Algiers passing by the administration and other pavilions to express their exasperation concerning their working conditions and professional status.

•  
• The protesters were prevented to get out of the hospital’s premises by the riot police take that cordoned the main gates, while curious passers-by were standing looking at awe to the angry doctors.
•  
• Giant banners were waved high in the air by the protesters that read” Keep the doctors’ dignity, sick brothers, our strike plays in your favour before ours, we have struggled for your rights before doing it for ourselves… strike for dignity…we are not dogs but humans in despair… we don’t want bones but our right…no for the exclusion of dentists, surgeons…doctors are angry”.
•  
• These were the slogans, to name but a few, used by the doctors to slash at the ministry and the civil service authorities in general. Despite several attempts to convince the police chief to let them get out of the hospital in a peaceful march, he didn’t allow this move arguing that he has received firm instructions.
•  
• “We call on the president to intervene, because our situation is dramatic, we are wise people and cultured ones they didn’t take into account our status and our noble profession; they have despised us and forced us to take to the streets”, the National Union of Practitioners General Secretary, Doctor Mohammed Youcefi has declared.
•  
• Docto Youcefi and Lyes Merabet have slammed the Algerian authorities for focussing their interest on sport and the national squad’s matches, while the doctors are neglected “ we are the elite, and the president has ordered to give more consideration to this category” they said.