**Transition from General Hospital to IMSS Bienestar Affects Over 700 Workers in Ensenada**
As the General Hospital transitions to the IMSS Bienestar system in Ensenada, more than 700 healthcare workers across Ensenada and San QuintÃn are facing financial difficulties, stemming from this organizational shift. These workers, part of Section 64 of the National Union of Health Secretariat Workers, protested on Wednesday, November 20th, voicing their dissatisfaction on Paseo de la Playa and Reforma Avenue over prolonged delays in fulfilling their labor rights, which have been ongoing since July.
Nurses, doctors, and other hospital staff are reporting unpaid benefits, including thesis support, eyeglasses, Sunday premiums, vacations, and quarterly payments, all of which remain unaddressed by the competent authorities. Despite claims that these settlements fall under the health secretariat’s purview, funds have yet to be released.
One significant repercussion discussed among the employees was the splitting of the Christmas bonus payment, which was only partially disbursed following a labor strike on November 19. Elizabeth, a nurse among the affected, stated the strain it puts on families’ financial stability, insisting, “I work to support my family, not as a volunteer. We demand our dues be paid on time.”
In addition to unpaid wages, they have raised concerns about inadequate hospital supplies and equipment, forcing patients needing urgent care or gynecological consultations to procure their own materials—an added expense that ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 pesos per patient.
The workers have also expressed dissatisfaction with their union leader CrispÃn Tlatempa MartÃnez, accusing him of failing to adequately represent their concerns and provide timely responses. As a result, some members are calling for his ouster. The growing discontent has led these professionals to consider a complete strike, in line with actions seen in other regions, should their grievances remain unresolved promptly. They stressed the necessity for acknowledgment and valuation as essential employees.
The hospital’s precarious conditions, including the lack of basic necessities such as toilet paper, have raised alarms, emphasizing the urgency of these protests to highlight shortages and demand immediate solutions.
—
**Secondary Article: Nationwide Strikes and Protests in Health Sector Call for Urgent Reforms**
In recent months, Mexico has witnessed an escalation of strikes and protests by healthcare workers from various regions in response to perceived inadequacies in the sector. These actions reflect widespread dissatisfaction with working conditions, unmet obligations, and insufficient resources within medical facilities.
From north to south, professionals are raising their voices against delayed payments of wages and bonuses, forcing authorities to confront these systemic issues directly. In many regions, like Ensenada, there have also been reports of hospitals running out of basic supplies, adding burden to already strained healthcare workers and patients alike.
Union leaders across different states have echoed the concerns of their members, demanding immediate governmental intervention to ensure the well-being of the medical workforce and the patients they tirelessly serve. This national movement underscores a critical need for reform and investment aimed at enhancing operational efficacy and employee welfare in Mexico’s healthcare system.