A large crowd of angry and indignant residents of Sos?a marched Wednesday February 12th through the streets of Charamicos, then through the streets of El Batey (tourist area) to end up at the helicopter field across Hispaniola Beach. The crowd carried all kinds of protest signs. For at least 20 years the residents of Sos?a have requested for such public hospital. Each time during election time presidential candidates promise that the hospital will be constructed. It is life-threatening that there is no public hospital in the area. In case of emergency (traffic accidents, heart attack, etc.) the victim has to be taken to the private clinic (CMC) or to the hospital in Puerto Plata. For an ambulance it takes almost 45 minutes to arrive at the hospital which is often too long in case of an emergency. Even in April 2012 former President Leonel Fern?ndez, during a visit to Sos?a, promised that the hospital would get there. With thousands of residents present, he cut with a pickaxe into the ground at the place where the new hospital was supposed to be build. Then again nothing happened and it appeared to be just an election promise. On the helicopter field Father Bernardo V?squez spoke to the crowd, telling them that it is a shame that every time before the elections promises are made. "We now want a hospital now and not tomorrow!" The pastors Bernardo V?squez and Benito Castillo called the crowd not to stop protesting. This is the beginning of the protests to stop the false promises and to start the construction of the hospital for the poor people of Sos?a. There will be many protest marches until there is a hospital.
PS: To see the photos: Sos?a-News
PS: To see the photos: Sos?a-News
