Doctors in Latakia protest over low pay

The reported that resident doctors carried out a protest sit-in at Latakia National Hospital and several hospitals affiliated with the Health Directorate, in response to worsening living conditions, delayed payment of financial dues, and increasing professional pressures.

According to the Observatory, the doctors issued a statement stressing their inability to continue working amid the sharp rise in living costs and transportation expenses, the lack of suitable housing, and repeated promises of salary increases that have not been implemented for months.

The statement included ten main demands, most notably: revising the residency regulatory law and involving resident doctors in drafting it; setting working hours to ensure a minimum level of rest; committing to the regular payment of salaries and work-related allowances; increasing wages in proportion to responsibilities and workload; and ensuring necessary protection for medical staff against any assaults.

The protesters also called for appropriate transportation services, decent meals within hospitals, and the formation of an independent body representing resident doctors to convey their demands and complaints to the relevant authorities.

The doctors gave the concerned authorities seven days to respond. They warned that if no action is taken, they will limit work to emergency, intensive care, and urgent surgical departments only, starting February 22, as an escalation step to defend their professional and human rights amid the difficult economic conditions in the region.

ANHA