Nicaragua Doctors Strike for Better Pay
Dozens of physicians returned to the streets of Managua on Wednesday, while health conditions of four colleagues worsened as result of a hunger strike they have staged since last week.

The demonstrating Nicaraguan doctors blocked the Pan American highway at intervals today, as they did in November 2005.

"Our struggle is just and we have already resorted to all administrative and legal remedies," Doctor Miguel Saenz told a radio station.

Lopez accused the government of President Enrique Bolanos of being insensitive and playing down demands of the Medical Federation, which brings together nearly 3,000 physicians who work in public hospitals.

The sector, which asks for a 13.25 percent pay raise, besides the 30 percent increase the Health Ministry granted recently for all doctors, keeps public health services partially stagnant.

During the last six months, public hospitals have only treated emergency cases.

Health Minister Margarita Gurdian asserted the government´s refusal to meet their demands, and insisted it will grant no more wage increases because obligations to the International Monetary Fund prevent the government from implementing social reforms.