Rural healthcare in Álava is facing a new strike, three years after the previous one. Specifically, the healthcare personnel of the Valles I Primary Care Unit, under the umbrella of OSI Araba, provides services to the areas of Añana, Lantarón, Valdegovía, Comunión, Espejo, and Bergüenda.
The conflict stems from the staff's working hours. In January, the incorporation of a DUE (University Diploma in Nursing) into the workforce necessitated calendar adjustments. The sessions agreed upon by the staff "allowed for an increase in nursing services in Bergüenda and Lantarón," where previously only one nurse provided care.
However, the nursing management of OSI Araba "does not accept" the work schedule agreed upon by the staff. According to the workers, the management's response is that it "does not comply with regulations, without specifying anything further." This rejection, in their view, means reverting to the previous model, which creates "a detriment to the population we serve and the healthcare professionals who work here." Furthermore, "they impose 55 consecutive on-call hours on us," which has led, for example, in April, to "surpluses of 35 hours that are not recognized."
With the scarcity of doctors, and knowing that medical positions in rural areas are difficult to fill, who will want to come and work here? Who will want to remain in these rural positions under these conditions? People are already thinking about requesting mobility.
This situation affects the nursing area, but they have explicitly stated that "they will do the same with medical professionals in the area." The staff believes that this situation does not benefit the rural area of Álava. During the strike week, they will only attend to emergencies "in a valley as wide as this, with all that implies."
This strike almost coincides with a demonstration in defense of quality public healthcare. The protest, scheduled in the three Basque capitals for Saturday, April 18, will depart at 12:00 from Vitoria's Bilbao Square. It is organized by the coordinator Osasun Publikoaren Aldeko Herri Plataformak to denounce the "sustained deterioration and privatization of the public health system," criticizing service closures, reduced hours, and centers without adequate medical staff.
