Members of the National Health Coordinating Committee (Conasalud), together with several healthcare unions, held a march to the National Palace on Wednesday to press the Dominican government for higher wages, improved retirement benefits, and the regularization of hundreds of healthcare workers across the public sector.
Chanting slogans in support of their movement, the demonstrators walked to the headquarters of the Executive Branch, where they delivered a document outlining their demands to President Luis Abinader. The coalition said it is seeking measures aimed at improving working conditions for pharmacists, nurses, psychologists, bioanalysts, and other healthcare professionals employed by public institutions.
Workers Seek Pay, Career Recognition, and More Hiring
Among the proposals submitted to the government are the recognition of years of service and distance-based compensation, the implementation of seniority incentives for pharmacists, pharmacy assistants, and pharmacy supervisors working at PROMESE/CAL, the state agency responsible for supplying essential medicines and operating low-cost pharmacies throughout the country.
The organizations are also requesting that employees receive job classifications that accurately reflect the duties they perform and that additional personnel be hired to fill existing vacancies and strengthen healthcare services.
Unions Criticize Lack of Official Response
Union representatives expressed frustration over what they described as a lack of response from the leadership of PROMESE/CAL and the National Health Service (SNS), the government agency that manages the Dominican Republic’s public healthcare network. They said their demands have remained unresolved despite repeated efforts to engage with the institutions.
The protesters argued that addressing staffing shortages and improving employment conditions would benefit both healthcare workers and the quality of services provided to patients across the country.
Broad Coalition Behind the Demonstration
The demonstration was organized by Conasalud, a coalition bringing together several healthcare organizations, including the Association of Health Psychologists (Asopsalud), the National Association of SNS Bioanalysts (Asonabidss-SNS), the Dominican Pharmaceutical Association (AFD), the National Association of Radiologic Technologists and Technicians (Asonatter), the National Association of Health Professionals and Technicians (Anatepsis), the Association of Pensioners and Retirees (Asodepij), the National Association of Graduates and Senior Technicians in Medical Imaging (Asonaltim), as well as pharmacy supervisors, pharmacists, and pharmacy assistants from PROMESE/CAL.
The coalition maintains that its demands are intended to improve employment conditions throughout the public health system while strengthening the capacity of healthcare institutions to deliver services to the Dominican population.