French doctors strike to demand fee hike, better conditions
French general practitioners, as well as doctors of other specialties in private practice, have gone on strike from Monday to January 2.
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Thousands of doctors and biologists closed practices and laboratories, some to demand price increases, others to protest against a drain on their profits. (AFP)
Doctors in France have gone on strike for a week in order to demand an increase in consultation fees and better working conditions, effectively shutting down the country's healthcare delivery system.
General practitioners and other specialties began the strike on Monday and will continue until January 2, according to French media.
The one-week nationwide strike is being organized by the collective Doctors for Tomorrow (Medecins pour demain), as well as trade unions SML (Syndicat des Médecins Liberaux), FMF (Federation des Médecins de France), and UFMLS (Union Francaise pour une Medecine Libre).
Doctors are calling on their colleagues to close their offices and demand an increase in patient admission fees from 25 euros ($27) to 50 euros, as well as better working conditions, according to a BFMTV report.
Doctors for Tomorrow (Medecins pour demain) was founded in September 2022 with the goal of drawing attention to the country's doctor shortage and the difficult working conditions they face.
According to the report, doctors in France are complaining about overcrowded hospitals due to epidemics of influenza, coronavirus, and bronchiolitis.
Read next: Europe faces massive shortage of doctors, zooming in on France
Earlier this month, a similar walkout occurred. On January 5, doctors are also planning a large nationwide walkout.
"There are epidemics, but there are also chronic patients. Today we no longer have the capacity to manage our patients, whether they are newborns or the elderly. We have whole waiting lists for consultations," general practitioner Florence Lapica told the broadcaster.
The French healthcare system is in the grip of a never-before-seen crisis. Last summer, medical workers went on strike across the country, demanding higher wages and denouncing the government's healthcare policies.
The wage dispute with the government comes as France struggles with rising inflation and worsening economic conditions.
In recent months, similar strikes have occurred in other European countries, including the United Kingdom, as a result of a cost-of-living crisis.
