On Sunday, more than 30,000 people marched across Madrid to protest against regional health policies. The protesters demanded an end to the privatisation of healthcare and called for universal access to public health services. The demonstration was coordinated by the platform ‘Vecinas y vecinos de los barrios y pueblos,’ with marches starting simultaneously from four main points around the city. Carrying banners with the slogan “Let’s save our public health,” the crowd expressed deep frustration with the worsening conditions of the public health system.
The protesters highlighted problems such as staff shortages and long waiting times for medical appointments. During the event, a manifesto was read, revealing that over one million people remain on waiting lists, and tens of thousands of children lack access to paediatric care. Madrid, as Spain’s richest region, faces growing pressure to improve access to healthcare services for all residents.
Organisers called for increased investment and preventive care. Ricardo Chacón, representing the organisers, criticised the move towards health privatisation, calling it ineffective. He argued that private business interests now overshadow the priority of patient care. Luis López, another organiser, urged that at least 25% of the health budget should be allocated to strengthen primary care services.
The protest leaders emphasised the need to focus on preventive medicine rather than costly treatments. They warned that dismantling public health services will harm long-term health outcomes. Their vision called for a reform of the system to better meet public needs, shifting toward community-based, accessible care. The crowd strongly supported structural changes and long-term funding improvements. Health workers and citizens chanted slogans demanding equal access to treatment and diagnostics.
Left-wing political leaders and unions joined the march to support the cause. Reyes Maroto from the Socialist Party urged more support for uninsured residents, highlighting the long wait times for medical appointments. Manuela Bergerot of Más Madrid presented alarming statistics, stating that 139,000 children do not have paediatricians, and 625,000 people lack a family doctor. She criticised the regional president, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, accusing her of pushing a privatisation agenda that benefits private healthcare companies like the Quirón Group.
Member of the European Parliament Irene Montero from Podemos added an ethical dimension to the debate. She argued that universal access to quality healthcare is a democratic right. Montero condemned state contracts awarded to companies connected to Ayuso, claiming there was a significant increase in payments to the Quirón Group after their partnership began.
This large-scale protest highlighted growing political tension over Madrid’s health policies. Demonstrators called for a full reversal of the privatisation trend to ensure fair and universal public healthcare for all.