Guatemala: Health Strike Intensifies
The strike started nearly a month ago in Roosevelt hospital, in Guatemala City, intensified on Monday, when doctors decided to close the outpatient office due to a lack of drugs, medical equipment and supplies.

"We won't resume work unless authorities supply needed material to treat patients," said Eddi Morales, on behalf of striking doctors.

The war started on Jun 9 includes Roosevelt and San Juan de Dios hospitals, the most important in Guatemala, as well as another eight medical facilities in western and southern Guatemala.

Union leader Luis Lara told Prensa Latina that the Roosevelt's problems intensified in 1994, when a sort of business project called trust (patronato) was established in order to make money on the poor.

Despite being a public-funded hospital, everything is charged in the facility, including lab tests, x-rays and operations, Lara denounced.