Overview
- The demonstration drew thousands, with the government’s delegation estimating about 8,000 participants and organizers claiming around 80,000.
- The noon march set off near the Health Ministry on Paseo del Prado and moved through central Madrid to Puerta del Sol under the banner “Salvar la sanidad pública madrileña.”
- Unions and neighborhood groups led the call, including ADSPM, CCOO Madrid, UGT Madrid, and the FRAVM, after gathering more than 100 endorsements.
- The manifesto demands reversing privatizations, repealing Madrid’s LOSCAM and Spain’s Law 15/1997, and abolishing the Agencia de Contratación Sanitaria.
- Protesters urged reinforcement of primary care and mental health services, shorter waiting lists, and a major increase in hospital beds toward EU and OECD averages, while opposition leaders accused the regional government of diverting funds to private groups such as Quirón.