Venezuelan nurses rally over private VIP fees and low pay in public hospitals

Nurses in Caracas accused private firms of charging "VIP" fees for services inside public hospitals, saying the practice violates the constitutional guarantee of free health care. They also highlighted a shortage of medical supplies despite shipments of aid from the United States, and called for higher salaries and the removal of restrictive budget rules.

In the western state of Táchira, a coalition of health‑sector unions staged a peaceful protest demanding a uniform responsibility bonus for all health workers, a review of job classifications, and an end to intimidation of staff who join demonstrations. The protesters pointed to wages that do not cover basic transport costs and to deteriorating hospital infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the Lara State Nursing College warned that low wages and excessive workloads are driving more than 1,600 nurses out of the public system. Hospital staffing levels have collapsed, with only about 400 of the 2,500 nurses at the central Barquisimeto hospital still active, leaving many facilities severely understaffed.