Hospital O’Horán staff protest healthcare staffing shortages

Medical and nursing staff at the new Hospital O’Horán have launched protests to denounce severe labor shortages and excessive workloads. Workers report that a single nurse may be responsible for up to 12 patients, a figure significantly higher than the recommended ratio of four to five patients per nurse.

In response to the demonstrations, Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena attributed the staffing shortages to scheduled vacations. He urged the healthcare workers to show more institutional commitment, using the phrase “ponerse la camiseta” (wear the institution's shirt) and citing his own past work experience in the hospitality industry as an example of working beyond scheduled hours.

The protests have also raised questions regarding the effectiveness of labor unions, as critics question why union leadership has not intervened to address the reported working conditions, potential threats against protesters, and the lack of adequate personnel before the staff felt compelled to demonstrate.