The public has claimed the public health service for Tolosaldea in the streets of the town. According to the organizers, about 2,100 people have taken to the street on several streets. Hundreds of people have gathered in the queues, maintaining security measures, keeping the distance between people and masks. “Public health is the only guarantee to put people in the centre and provide quality services,” they said. The demonstration has started and ended in the Plaza Vieja, and when the head has reached the end the participants were on the Paseo de San Francisco.

Once again they have said that the outbreak at the Asunción clinic has not been a coincidence, “it is a consequence of the low quality service we have manifested thousands of times.” They reported that it occurred in the referral hospital of the population of Tolosaldea and stressed that it did not occur in any other hospital. “Today more than ever we say: The closure of the Asunción Clinic responds to the scarce health service of Tolosaldea. Consequence of the lack of intervention and control by the Public Administration with the Asunción Clinic”.

They have pointed out that the situation in Osakidetza is the result of the cuts of years and that the pandemic has shown it, “but in our environment this situation is even more dramatic, because in Tolosaldea more has been played than anywhere else by the privatization of the health service”. They say it’s time to say it’s enough and they ask for a 100% public hospital “with the corresponding service and personnel ratios”.

The mayor of Tolosa, Olatz Peón, announced yesterday that she has taken steps to make a public hospital, and before that they have pointed out that the Department of Health has said that the health care of the region was “perfect”, “we would like to know why now the construction of this hospital is approved.”

“We have won the first battle, we all accept it, the need for a hospital. This has been thanks to the work of all and all, thanks to the work carried out for years by TOPA. It is clear that the struggle bears fruit,” they said. They recalled another request from the Tolosaldea platform Osasun Publikoa Alde: “We want outpatient clinics with specialties.”

Order

Finally, they have asked the citizens of Tolosaldea to put something white on the balconies and windows of their houses, “so that everyone knows that Tolosaldea claims the public health service”.

Agents

Today's demonstration has begun and ended between applause and applause. The call, carried out by the workers and neighbours of Asunción, has received broad support from the conveners. The street has been filled and this has created some problems, as the Ertzaintza, through the Municipal Police of Tolosa, has asked them when the head of the demonstration arrived to the Plaza Vieja to disconvene it and have accepted it. The final act took place in the Plaza Vieja, but the citizens who were not there and were still on the route of the demonstration were asked not to come close to avoid agglomerations.

There have been many actors who supported the demonstration: LAB, Revolutionary Left/Euskal Herria Sozialista, Ibarrako asanblada feminist, Berazubi auzo elkartea, Amarotz Auzo Elkartea, EH Bildu, Batumore-Tolosaldeko Batukada Feminist, Sortu, ELA, Eusko Alkartasuna, Association

Aspects

The demonstration has been attended by numerous representatives of these agents, including representatives of EH Bildu and Bah-Ahal dugu. Pilar Garrido, a member of Guarum-Ahal Dugu, explained that he has approached Tolosa to support the demands of the workers of the Asunción Clinic: “Only a sick administration puts economic interests above the health of society.” In his view, what is happening in Asunción is a clear example of the privatization of the health system.

More than one member of EH Bildu, as well as many mayors of the party in the area, has attended the demonstration. EH Bildu de Tolosa has reported that he has asked the mayor, Olatz Peón, to come to the meeting he will hold with the Department of Health to talk about the new public hospital.