Hundreds march in Santander to demand no cuts or privatisation of public health

More than a thousand people gathered in Santander on Saturday, marching from Numancia to the Plaza del Ayuntamiento to protest what they describe as a "strategy of dismantling" the public health system. Organisers, including the Association for the Defence of Public Health of Cantabria and trade‑union groups, called for an end to budget cuts, the return of €250 million earmarked for a private‑hospital contract, and safeguards for rural health centres that risk losing doctors this summer.

Speakers asserted that health care is a fundamental human right and warned that regional policies aim to shift the system toward private management. The rally featured regional officials such as Deputy Governor Pedro Casares (PSOE) and regionalist deputy Paula Fernández, who were urged to protect public healthcare. Demonstrators chanted slogans like “Public health is not for sale” and criticised the regional executive for pursuing a privatisation agenda.