Striking nurses talks stalled

STRIKING  NURSING technicians and auxiliaries are stalled in reaching  an agreement with authorities of the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Social Security Fund (CSS)  to end the work stoppage called by their Association (Anpate).

Jorge Perez, president of Anpate said that although the call for dialogue made by the authorities last Friday was positive, it has set an economic proposition below the aspirations of technicians.

Eric Ulloa, general secretary of the MoH, said he will make some inquiries to the Ministry of Finance on the proposals that are on the table.

President, Juan Carlos Varela, met stiking pacticioners during a visit to  Chitre, Herrera Province, where he held talks with members of Anpate.

The care in hospitals of the Ministry of Health (MoH) and the Social Security Fund (CSS) in the country is maintained on a regular basis, despite the indefinite strike that keep nursing technicians since last Thursday.

“All the hospitals are working normally, as we prepared for this eventuality,” said  CSS,Director Estivenson Giron.

He added that the strike   was not supported at several institutions, including the  Pediatrics Hospital..

“The doors of dialogue have always been open to all guilds of Health; however, in this case “this group has been  uncompromising and insatiable,” he said.

While family members of patients at the Metropolitan Complex Arnulfo Arias Madrid SSC said that technicians have the right to protest reports La Prensa

One of them, Orlando Cedeno, who was visiting a relative, said that “nursing technicians are fighting for their just rights.”

Meanwhile, in order to reach a consensus with members of the National Association of Practitioners, Nursing Assistants and Technicians (Anpate), the Secretary General of MoH, Eric Ulloa, yesterday called for dialogue.

After several communications with the President, Juan Carlos Varela, and Health Minister Francisco Javier Terrientes, the parties agreed to talks with the nursing technicians.

Perez said: “Hopefully they-the authorities-have reflected and decided to fulfill the agreements with the nursing technicians. What we are demanding is response, “he said.

The proposed wage increase provides that nursing technicians Category 1 will have a monthly salary of $800 and  certified nurses in category 2  $925.