More than a hundred days of strike, fourteen fruitless meetings and finally a verbal preliminary agreement that materialized in the signing of a commitment. A very long road from the first demands of 10 minutes per patient and more doctors, to the limits of patients per day and doctor and the compensation supplements that have finally been approved. And in between, a lot of work. And a man who has been key: Antonio Zapatero, former Deputy Minister of Health Care and Public Health, responsible for the Madrid Covid Plan in the midst of a pandemic, and now responsible for Public Health at Alberto Núñez Feijóo.
As ABC has learned, Zapatero – who left the vice ministry just six months ago – has participated as a mediator in the last stage of the talks between the strike committee and the Madrid health authorities. He endorsed his trajectory and in-depth knowledge of problems in Primary Care. But also the personal relationship with some of the leaders of the protest of family doctors and pediatricians, who worked alongside him during his residency period.
The mediation had the prior knowledge and acceptance of the Minister of Health, Enrique Ruiz Escudero, assure sources familiar with the operation; The counselor was always willing to accept all the hands that might come to end this conflict, which has tensed the political landscape in the region for months.
Amyts, the union calling the strike, recalled yesterday that “we always advocated resolution” and for this reason intermediaries were sought and offered: “We have always worked to resolve the conflict.” For this reason, they appreciate any type of help, internal and external, that has contributed to this. And they remember that they have received “thousands of messages” in this regard.
The list that did not prosper
In fact, this union made public a mediation offer that it proposed to the Ministry of Health. Specifically, three prestigious people in the medical world were asked: Enrique Castellón Leal, founding partner and director of the board of directors of CRB Inverbío SGEIC –investment manager specializing in health sciences–; Tomás Cobo Castro, president of the General Council of Official Colleges of Physicians; and José Ramón Repullo, emeritus professor of Health Planning and Economics at the National School of Health. But the Ministry did not accept it.
Antonio Zapatero was one of the first to publish a tweet on social networks rejoicing at the signing of peace in the conflict with family doctors and pediatricians in Madrid, on Friday night: “Excellent news the signing of the agreement to call off the strike Primary Care in the Community of Madrid. Good for the Madrid Primary School and above all good for the patients”. He then winked at the convening union, Amyts: “To continue working, there is work ahead.”
Among those who responded, Paulino Cubero, doctor and member of the Spanish Society of Family and Community Medicine: «Thank you Antonio, for understanding the problem and for your help in finding solutions. Public health is a personal and professional commitment above any consideration.
The signed agreement guarantees a time of peace, but all parties agree that more work is required. Above all, in organizing agendas or reducing bureaucracy. And, above all, in the shortage of doctors.
