Young doctors shout slogans as they rally in front of the prime minister's office to demand increases of their low earnings and more spending on the chronically strapped and inefficient health care, in Warsaw, Poland, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Alik Keplicz)
October 14, 2017 - 8:13 AM
WARSAW, Poland - Hundreds of young doctors are rallying in front of the Polish prime minister's office to demand pay increases and more money for the country's chronically strapped health care system.
The rally held Saturday was a show of support for some 20 junior doctors who have been on a hunger strike at a Warsaw children's hospital for almost two weeks. The doctors are participating in the hunger strike as a protest.
They met with Prime Minister Beata Szydlo and Health Minister Konstanty Radziwill earlier this week, but found the talks unsatisfactory.
They say Poland's health care budget is insufficient and leads to monthlong waits for simple medical procedures.
The young doctors also are threatening to leave Poland if their monthly salaries of about 1,500 zlotys ($420,) are not significantly increased.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017