Hundreds of thousands of Spain’s health workers protested in Madrid over what they say is the destruction of the public health system by the conservative regional government, writes Reuters.

The Madrid government has been the target of criticism in recent years, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic started in 2020, over poor staffing in hospitals and primary healthcare centres. Protesters say it is dismantling public health services and favouring private health providers.

“They have cut our wages instead of raising them. We are overwhelmed with work and do not have any support. We are in danger of extinction”, - Lilian Ramis, 61, a matron at the El Molar health centre in Madrid, told Reuters.

Demonstrators filled the Plaza Cibeles area in the city centre, chanting and waving flags. One demonstrator sported a huge model of Isabel Diaz Ayuso, the right-wing leader of the Madrid regional government, with a Pinocchio-like nose attached.