On Saturday, the Popular Platforms for Public Health (OPA Herri Plataforma) held statements denouncing Osakidetza’s “grave situation” in the three Basque capitals. In addition to claiming a “fully public, universal, dignified and quality” health system, they have denounced “cuts and privatization” of public health. Thousands of people have gathered in the streets of Bilbao, Donostia and Gasteiz and dozens of trade unions and Basque agents have joined the demonstrations.

Donostia caller spokeswoman Kontxi Revollo has denounced “the deterioration of public health and primary care”. It has also held “policies of reduction, demolition and privatization of the Basque Government” accountable.

The spokesman for the platform coordinator, José Ignacio Martínez, has called for an “urgent solution” at the Bilbao demonstration. Martínez adds that health is not a trade issue, but a “universal right”. On the other hand, he stresses that the solution is “to strengthen public health and improve the use of public resources”.