Above photo:A protester from the CNTE teachers’ union gestures during a vigil following clashes in southern Mexico over the weekend between police and teachers, Mexico City, Mexico, June 20, 2016. | Photo: Reuters
200,000 Doctors to Join Teachers in Mexico National Strike
Doctors’ leaders have condemned the killing of at least eight people during a teacher’s protest last Sunday in the state of Oaxaca.
As protests led by the militant CNTE teachers’ union in Mexico continue, the country’s doctors are set to join in the job action, calling for a national strike on June 22 to protest a neoliberal reform to the health system imposed by President Enrique Peña Nieto.
The group #YoSoyMedico17, which is comprised of doctors, pediatricians, surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses, has been joined by more than 200,000 physicians from 32 states in opposing the so-called Universal Health System reform by Peña Nieto. The medical professionals say the measure is a “disguised way of privatizing health in Mexico,” and said doctors were not consulted on the reform, according to Animal Politico.
The doctors’ protest will join the ongoing national general strike by teachers.
Doctor’s also condemned the killing of at least eight people during a teachers’ protest last Sunday in the state of Oaxaca, and denounced what they call intimidation and repression by authorities, as well as organized crime.
According to doctors, as violence has increased in Mexico they have suffered the consequences of crimes like kidnappings, enforced disappearances and killings that have gone unpunished by authorities.
President Peña Nieto has introduced a number of radical measures, including 11 neoliberal structural reforms in education, health and the energy sector, during his first 20 months.
Tens of thousands of teachers have been protesting since May, demanding a meetings with Peña Nieto and his ministers to discuss the education reform. However Peña Nito and his education minister, Aurelio Nuño, have refused to talk with the union leaders.