Lorraine Williamson
Cities across Andalucia saw mass demonstrations on Saturday as tens of thousands took to the streets to protest the region’s public healthcare crisis. The largest march, in Seville, drew over 20,000 people according to organisers, and was backed by the region’s four main trade unions.
Protesters called for urgent improvements to public healthcare, citing staff shortages, lengthy waiting lists, and underfunded local clinics.
Government defends spending record
In response to growing criticism, the Partido Popular (PP) government, led by regional president JuanMa Moreno, highlighted increased investment in health services. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), PP de Andalucía claimed that “health expenditure per inhabitant in Andalucia has increased by 45.3% since he [Moreno] came into power.”
Despite this, many demonstrators argue that funding is not reaching frontline services or addressing systemic problems. One Málaga-based doctor said, “Investment figures may be up, but what matters to patients is what they experience. And right now, that experience is poor.”
Anger over privatisation and outsourcing
Many protesters focused their criticism on the perceived privatisation of healthcare. Outsourcing of services to private providers is a growing concern, with opponents claiming this benefits insurance firms more than the public.
There are also calls for a transparent review of how healthcare contracts are awarded. Several civic groups allege possible conflicts of interest involving firms with links to the PP.
“The fear is that the system is being hollowed out from within,” said a spokesperson from a patient advocacy platform.
A political issue with growing momentum
Since Moreno took office in 2019, this was the sixth large-scale protest focused on healthcare. Analysts note the scale and frequency of the demonstrations could reignite support for opposition parties and shift voter priorities.
Healthcare is now viewed as one of the top two social issues in the region, just behind unemployment.
Though the government insists reforms are underway and spending is increasing, protests are spreading beyond Andalucia. Other Spanish regions are seeing similar calls to protect public health services from further deterioration.
The pressure on the regional government is mounting. Whether investment figures will be enough to calm the unrest remains uncertain. For many, the issue goes beyond budgets—it’s about access, quality, and trust.
Also read: Private healthcare insurers in Spain benefit from deteriorating public healthcare